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MapQuest now shows drivers where Flock cameras are watching. MapQuest's app now offers an optional map layer that plots known license plate readers from Flock Safety and other vendors, as backlash against the cameras grows. Oct 18, 2026 In brief. * MapQuest added a "Surveillance Layer" that shows known license plate readers from Flock Safety, Motorola Solutions' Vigilant, Axon, Verkada and others. * A demo shows camera icons with cones marking which way each faces. MapQuest hasn't said where its location data comes from. * The feature arrives amid bipartisan backlash against Flock, including a Texas funding freeze and a push by Sen. Bernie Sanders to ban the technology. MapQuest, the mapping service many Americans last used to print driving directions, now wants to show drivers who's watching the road. The company announced on Bluesky that its app includes a "Surveillance Layer," a toggle in Map Options that plots known automated license plate readers from Flock Safety. The layer also covers cameras from Motorola Solutions' Vigilant, Genetec, Axis Communications, Axon, Leonardo's ELSAG, Neology, Rekor, PlateSmart, Ubicquia, Verkada and other outdoor surveillance systems. "The Roads Have Eyes!" the company wrote. A demo video showed a dense cluster of eye-shaped icons around Los Angeles' Marina del Rey neighborhood, each paired with a red cone marking the direction a camera faces. MapQuest didn't say in its post where the location data comes from. License plate readers photograph passing vehicles and convert their plates into searchable data. Flock's AI-powered cameras go further, logging details like make, model, color and even bumper stickers. These surveillance cameras can be networked so agencies across the country share access, and critics say that allows warrantless tracking of ordinary drivers. Flock is also developing an AI tool that helps police track drivers without the need for license plate data or even a name. Bitcoin BTC · USD $81,092 −3.1% Oct 11 Oct 13 Oct 15 Oct 17 Oct 18 $84.2k $82.9k $81.5k $80.2k 24h High $82,178 24h Low $80,823 Vol $726.5M Buy Bitcoin with USDT Powered by Jupiter The new Mapquest feature lands amid a growing bipartisan backlash. Earlier this month lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, introduced the Ban Flock Act, which seeks to prohibit federal agencies from using the technology. The move followed Sanders' earlier call in late August to "stop Flock and AI mass surveillance." Also in late August, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to stop funding Flock cameras after the Texas Tribune found that a state agency had steered at least $30 million toward the network. In response to the mounting public backlash, Flock CEO Garrett Langley asked Americans to compromise on privacy in exchange for safety. President Donald Trump, breaking his silence on the topic in mid-September, has praised the company's cameras. The CEO of Flock Safety has called for "compromise" amid a growing backlash against the company's AI-powered license plate cameras, which have been vandalized across the country and have drawn bipartisan fire in Congress. "What we have to prioritize as a country is compromise," Garrett Langley told Fox News in an interview broadcast Saturday, arguing that Americans who frame the argument as a choice between privacy and safety are "prioritizing the wrong thing." Flock has united lawmakers who ag...

Flock CEO claims microphones detect "just gunshots," but the company website says otherwise. October 15, 2026 Flock CEO Garrett Langley said the company's gunshot-detection microphones listen for "just gunshots." But Flock's website says its systems can also detect fireworks, sideshows, car crashes, and other disruptive events. Speaking at TechCrunch Disrupt, Langley defended Flock's audio-detection product, which monitors sounds in neighborhoods to alert customers to possible public-safety incidents. The company says the technology can identify gunfire, detect street takeovers, and flag serious crashes. Flock introduced the feature last year, initially saying it could listen for "screaming." Privacy advocates objected to the collection of human voices, and the company changed its wording to "sounds of human distress." Flock later said it had removed distress detection from the system available to customers who tested it. Langley said the company had developed that capability after a few customers asked whether microphones in places such as parking lots could alert them if someone was being harmed. He said Flock tested the idea with a small number of customers, but faced concerns and decided the product would focus on gunshots. When asked about the website's descriptions of detecting other sounds, Langley reiterated: "It's just gunshots." A Flock spokesperson later said the technology is primarily used to detect gunfire, but can also identify fireworks, sideshows, and potential car crashes. The spokesperson added that it is not designed to monitor conversations or analyze speech, and does not currently detect screaming or distress. The company's FAQ also says its detection library is expanding to include sounds relevant to customers' needs. Flock's audio technology is under growing scrutiny from privacy advocates and the public amid broader concern about surveillance. Texas and Florida have moved to end their relationships with Flock, and Amazon's Ring ended its partnership with the company. Discover the pinnacle of WordPress auto blogging technology with AutomationTools.AI. Harnessing the power of cutting-edge AI algorithms, AutomationTools.AI emerges as the foremost solution for effortlessly curating content from RSS feeds directly to your WordPress platform. Say goodbye to manual content curation and hello to seamless automation, as this innovative tool streamlines the process, saving you time and effort. Stay ahead of the curve in content management and elevate your WordPress website with AutomationTools.AI - the ultimate choice for efficient, dynamic, and hassle-free auto blogging. Learn More

Flock CEO claims microphones only detect gunshots, contradicting information on official website. October 14, 2026 2 min. read Summary of the announcement. Flock Safety has introduced a new product, the Gunshot Detection system, designed to identify gunfire and other ambient noises in residential areas. During a presentation at TechCrunch Disrupt, CEO Garrett Langley clarified that the system is primarily focused on detecting gunshots, although its platform has the capacity to recognize additional sounds like car crashes, fireworks, and even signs of potential street takeovers. Despite its promotional claims, the initial rollout of the Gunshot Detection feature encountered criticism for its previous aim to detect sounds of "screaming," prompting privacy advocates to voice their concerns. In response, Flock modified its messaging, now opting for the less controversial term "sounds of human distress." Furthermore, the company has since removed the ability to detect such distress signals based on user feedback, opting to devote attention solely to gunshot detection. Why it matters. The introduction of Flock's Gunshot Detection technology underscores a growing trend in public safety innovation within the surveillance and security sectors. This move reflects an overarching shift toward more intelligent and proactive approaches to crime prevention, particularly in urban settings where gun violence can be prevalent. By equipping neighborhoods with advanced audio recognition systems, the potential exists for quicker response times from law enforcement and emergency services, thereby enhancing community safety standards. Moreover, the technology's capacity to extend beyond gunshot detection suggests a more comprehensive approach to urban safety challenges. As cities grapple with various forms of public disturbances, including street racing and violence, the ability to identify such events in real-time may fundamentally alter how communities respond to crises. This advancement has the potential to reshape public policy and operational protocols in emergency response frameworks. Impact on residents, businesses, or visitors. For residents and local businesses, Flock's Gunshot Detection system promises a more responsive environment. The enhancement of public safety measures aided by technology can lead to increased community trust and a feeling of security among citizens. Holidaymakers may benefit from this enhanced safety, as the presence of such technology aims to mitigate risks associated with gun violence and other disruptions, thus improving the overall tourist experience. Local businesses, particularly those operating in vulnerable areas, may find themselves reassured by the prompt alerts provided by this technology, potentially saving lives and reducing damages caused by related incidents. Additionally, as emergency services leverage this technology, response times are expected to improve, leading to better outcomes in crisis situations. Municipality affected. This deployment of Flock's Gunshot Detection technology is set to impact communities across All Municipalities / Archipelago-wide in the Canary Islands. By integrating advanced surveillance into public safety strategies, local governments may be better equipped to respond to incidents of gunfire and other disturbances, benefitting the entire population across various urban areas. Related projects or previous developments. Historically, the use of acoustic detection technologies in public safety has garnered a mixed response, with previous efforts by companies like ShotSpotter facing scrutiny as well. While ShotSpotter has been established in numerous municipalities with more than 25,000 microphones across the U.S., Flock's approach parallels this initiative but proposes a more accessible solution for neighborhoods. The ongoing dialogue surrounding these technologies emphasizes the balancing act of enhancing safety while addressing legitimate concerns related to privacy and ethical surveillance practices. Internal links. [placeholder_internal_links] SEO Title and metadata. SEO Title: Flock Launches Advanced Gunshot Detection System Meta Description: Discover Flock's new technology for gunshot detection, enhancing safety across the Canary Islands. Learn how it impacts local communities and businesses!