Drones Once Reserved for Police Now Patrol Private Property Amid Growing Security Concerns

The Download: Shoplifter-Chasing Drones and Trump's TikTok Deal In a move that has sparked both excitement and concern, Flock Safety, a company previously known for providing drones to police departments, is now offering them for private-sector security. The shift marks a significant expansion into the commercial market, with potential customers including businesses seeking to curb shoplifting. According to Keith Kauffman, a former police chief who directs Flock's drone program, the technology allows security teams to track individuals suspected of shoplifting using camera-equipped drones. If the suspects leave the store in a vehicle, the drone can be activated to follow the car, providing real-time video feed to the company's security team or automatically transmitting it directly to local police departments. Flock Safety's decision to enter the private-security market is seen as a logical step by some industry experts. "It makes sense for Flock to expand into this space," said James Cox, a security consultant with over 20 years of experience. "Private businesses are increasingly looking for innovative solutions to combat shoplifting and other crimes." However, not everyone shares this view. Rebecca Williams, senior strategist for the ACLU's privacy and data governance unit, expressed concerns about the potential misuse of drones in private-security settings. "Flock's expansion into private-sector security is a step in the wrong direction," she said. "We need to be careful about how we use technology to monitor individuals, especially in situations where there may not be adequate safeguards in place." The market for drone-based security solutions is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by increasing demand from businesses and law enforcement agencies. According to a recent report by MarketsandMarkets, the global drone-security market is projected to reach $1.3 billion by 2025, up from just $200 million in 2018. Flock Safety's entry into the private-security market has also raised questions about the potential economic impact of this technology. While some experts argue that drones could help reduce shoplifting-related losses for businesses, others warn that the costs associated with deploying and maintaining these systems may outweigh any benefits. As the use of drone-based security solutions becomes more widespread, it is likely that we will see a significant increase in the number of drones being used to monitor public spaces. This raises important questions about issues such as surveillance, data protection, and accountability. In related news, President Trump announced on Tuesday that he had reached an agreement with TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to sell the popular social media app to a US-based consortium. The deal is seen as a major victory for the administration, which has been critical of TikTok's ties to China and concerns about data security. As Flock Safety continues to expand its offerings into the private-security market, it remains to be seen how this technology will be used in practice and what implications it may have for individuals and businesses alike. One thing is certain: the use of drones in security applications is here to stay, and we can expect to see significant developments in this space in the months and years ahead. Byline: James O'Donnell Sources: Flock Safety MarketsandMarkets ACLU's privacy and data governance unit *Reporting by Technologyreview.*