Flock Safety, a surveillance tech giant, is offering generous severance packages to its employees as it faces growing backlash from customers and a decline in business. The company, known for its sprawling network of license plate readers, is experiencing widespread customer attrition amid privacy concerns and misuse allegations.

Founded in 2017, Flock raised over $8 billion in a funding round, but this year, many of its contracts have not been renewed, leading to financial strain. The company is now grappling with the prospect of layoffs, prompting the voluntary separation program, which it claims provides greater agency and respect for its workers.

The severance package, valued at tens of thousands of dollars, includes extended health care coverage and extended stock option exercise periods. Flock expects to offer buyouts to the majority of applicants, with most leaving by October 29, though some may stay for one to three months.

One advocacy group reports that 93 city and county governments cut ties with Flock in August alone, with a threefold increase in local government dropouts compared to the previous five years. Flock is also facing scrutiny over its AI-powered investigative software, which some see as an expansion into more invasive surveillance practices.