Flock CEO Skips Senate Hearing on AI Surveillance Network
The U.S. Senate Judiciary crime and counterterrorism subcommittee held a hearing titled “Flock’s Nationwide AI Surveillance Network” on September 23, 2026. Despite the absence of Flock's CEO as originally planned, the event was well-attended with a standby line forming for entry. The committee chair, Josh Hawley (R-MO), had invited CEOs from Flock and similar companies like Axon, Motorola Solutions, and Verkada to testify but noted they declined. The hearing reflects growing legislative scrutiny over AI-driven surveillance technologies provided by private firms such as Flock. While the CEO did not appear in person, the session highlights ongoing concerns about privacy, data usage, and oversight of these systems within law enforcement contexts. This event underscores a broader political debate around balancing national security needs with civil liberties protections, particularly regarding how AI is deployed at scale by private entities for government use.
Topics: AI government oversight privacy policy surveillance technology