Activists Protest Flock Safety at Downtown Tech Conference
The rally occurred Wednesday outside the Moscone Center as the company's CEO spoke inside.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Cybersecurity
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Protesters gathered outside the Moscone Center on Wednesday to voice opposition to police use of automated license plate reader technology. The rally occurred while the CEO of Flock Safety, the company behind the surveillance systems, delivered a presentation inside the TechCrunch Disrupt conference.
Why it matters
Activists are demanding an end to the deployment of license plate readers by police departments, citing concerns over potential misuse of data. The protest highlights the growing tension in local communities over the balance between law enforcement technology and individual privacy.
Nine different advocacy groups collaborated to organize the protest outside the conference. The technology at the center of the dispute has been used for 25 years and validated by 50 court cases, though specific policy outcomes remain unresolved.
The players
Garrett Langley
The CEO of Flock Safety who spoke at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference.
Ashley Ortiz
The organizer who coordinated the rally held outside the Moscone Center.
The details
Coordinated by organizer Ashley Ortiz and groups including the Silicon Valley Democratic Socialists of America and the Raging Grannies, participants donned cardboard camera props and Handmaid’s Tale costumes to protest. The demonstration was timed to coincide with a presentation by Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley inside the venue. Flock Safety maintains that it has no partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Timeline
April 2026: San Jose police officer terminated for misusing license plate reader network.
October 14, 2026: Protest held outside TechCrunch Disrupt at the Moscone Center.
Across the Bay
The protest follows the pattern of pushback established after the San Jose Police Department terminated an officer in April 2026 for tracking a domestic violence victim. That incident serves as a primary reference point for critics arguing against the proliferation of automated license plate reader technology.
The protest at the Moscone Center caused temporary gatherings in the area during the conference. Residents can continue to track how local law enforcement agencies vote on the acquisition or renewal of automated surveillance contracts at upcoming municipal hearings.
The takeaway
The event serves as a reminder for residents to monitor police department equipment budgets and oversight policies. Stay updated by reviewing agendas for public meetings regarding the surveillance tools currently in use by local law enforcement.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of local policy and emerging digital threats, visit the Cybersecurity section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Dailycallernewsfoundation.
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