Flock Safety, the US startup behind thousands of AI-powered surveillance cameras and licence plate readers deployed across the country, plans to lay off about 18% of its workforce following a voluntary buyout programme, according to a Reuters report. The move comes as the company faces mounting scrutiny from privacy advocates, lawmakers and communities increasingly pushing back against its technology.
People familiar with the matter told Reuters that the job cuts are expected to affect roughly 270 employees. Flock currently employs about 1,500 people. The Atlanta-based company has about 1,500 employees.
The layoffs follow a voluntary separation programme launched by the company in September, which encouraged employees to apply if they wished to leave. Reuters reported that the Atlanta-based company has not yet publicly announced the layoffs. In September, Flock announced a voluntary separation program asking employees to apply if they wanted to leave, Wired reported last month.
The departures will take effect at the end of the month. Flock Safety declined to comment on the plans.