Flock Safety has recently announced its intention to extend its drone services, previously limited to police departments, to private-sector security operations. This new offering may appeal to businesses looking to address issues such as shoplifting.
The operational mechanics involve activating a drone equipped with a camera if security personnel identify suspected shoplifters. According to Keith Kauffman, a former police chief who leads the drone initiative at Flock, the drone can follow individuals as they leave the store, tracking them to their vehicle. The live video feed from the drone could be relayed to the business’s security team or directly to law enforcement.
The move towards utilizing drones for private security has drawn a response from some advocacy groups. Rebecca Williams, a senior strategist with the ACLU’s privacy and data governance unit, expressed concern that this development represents an inappropriate direction for surveillance practices.
As the use of drone technology expands in various sectors, this initiative raises questions about the implications for privacy, safety, and the role of technology in policing everyday activities. The broader context involves increasing reliance on technology for security measures across multiple industries, which may influence regulatory discussions in the future.
Source: https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/09/26/1124253/the-download-shoplifter-chasing-drones-and-trumps-tiktok-deal/