Flock, the US surveillance firm, is rolling out new safeguards after admitting it should have acted sooner to prevent police misuse of its technology. The company has cut data retention from 30 days to seven and will flag abnormal searches automatically.

Police across the US have used Flock cameras not only for tracking romantic partners but also in one case, a woman who had an abortion. Dozens of cities have cut ties with Flock due to public backlash over misuse by law enforcement, while others are coming back after being turned off services.

Flock's CEO, Garrett Langley, says he has now accepted responsibility for stronger control over the uses of Flock and is pitching its products as crucial to combatting crime. However, critics say these changes fall short of meaningful privacy protection.

Langley sees clearly visible cameras in cities and neighbourhoods as making it easier for the public to voice concerns about privacy and technology misuse. He argues that while some officers abuse their position, we should hold them accountable more seriously than just dismissal.