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WIRED Rebuilds Flock's AI Search Tool for Police

ai-technology · 2026-08-19

WIRED has reverse-engineered Flock's latest AI-powered search tool, which is designed for law enforcement. The tool, built from code sent to a police officer's browser, enables monitoring across multiple cameras to identify individuals matching a written description. This development raises significant privacy and surveillance concerns, as it represents an advancement in automated tracking capabilities. The tool's ability to search across various camera feeds simultaneously marks a notable shift in police technology, potentially enabling more proactive and wide-reaching surveillance. WIRED's analysis provides insight into the tool's functionality and implications, highlighting the growing intersection of AI and law enforcement.

Key facts

  • WIRED rebuilt Flock's latest search tool from code sent to a police officer's browser.
  • The tool uses AI to monitor multiple cameras for individuals matching a written description.
  • Flock is a company providing surveillance technology to law enforcement.
  • The tool is designed for police use.
  • The search tool can operate across multiple cameras simultaneously.
  • WIRED's reconstruction reveals the tool's capabilities and potential privacy implications.
  • The tool represents an advancement in automated surveillance technology.
  • The story was published on WIRED.

Entities

Institutions

  • WIRED
  • Flock
  • Flock Safety

Sources