GoKawiilFlock CEO's 'just gunshots' claim contradicted by company's own website
Flock CEO Garrett Langley told TechCrunch Disrupt that the company's Gunshot Detection microphones pick up 'just gunshots,' but Flock's website describes the system as also detecting street takeovers, severe crashes, fireworks and sideshows. The product previously drew criticism for listening for 'screaming,' which Flock relabeled as 'sounds of human distress' before later removing that distress-detection capability for customers who tested it.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The discrepancy between Langley's onstage description and Flock's marketing material could fuel existing distrust of the surveillance company, whose products already face protests over mass-surveillance concerns. Privacy advocates may point to this gap as evidence that Flock's audio tools collect broader ambient sound than executives publicly acknowledge, raising questions about transparency as cities weigh adopting the technology.
- Flock CEO said microphones detect only gunshots, contradicting the company's website listing crashes, fireworks and street takeovers as detectable.
- Flock previously marketed the product as detecting 'screaming,' later softened to 'sounds of human distress,' then removed that feature entirely.
- Comments came amid protests outside TechCrunch Disrupt against Flock and other surveillance firms.
Source: techcrunch.com — Aisha Malik, 2026-10-14
Published there as: “Flock CEO says its microphones detect ‘just gunshots’ — its website says different”
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