Flock Safety, the AI surveillance camera company, is cutting about 270 jobs as the backlash against it grows, Reuters reports

Flock Safety, which sells AI licence-plate cameras to police, is letting go of about 18% of its employees, roughly 270 of about 1,500, Reuters reported in an exclusive citing people with direct knowledge of the plans. The people said the cuts followed a voluntary buyout and that the staff would leave at the end of the month. Flock declined to comment to Reuters.

A day later a Flock spokesperson told TechCrunch the company had offered staff a voluntary separation programme. “This was a voluntary program, not a layoff,” the spokesperson said. Flock would not say whether its chief executive, Garrett Langley, or other executives took a pay cut.

The cuts come amid mounting opposition, according to Reuters. In September Florida banned automated licence-plate readers from state highways; Home Depot investors have asked for reviews of the retailer's surveillance partnerships; and a Virginia lawsuit says the cameras amount to warrantless surveillance. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found 38% of Americans back Flock cameras in their community and 47% oppose them, Reuters reported. Flock was valued at $7.5bn in March.

• Reported About 18% of staff, roughly 270 of about 1,500, are leaving after a voluntary buyout, Reuters reported in an exclusive. Reuters via The Star
• Claimed Flock says “This was a voluntary program, not a layoff.” TechCrunch
• Reported A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows 38% of Americans support Flock cameras in their community and 47% oppose them, Reuters reported. Reuters via The Star