# Flock’s License‑Plate Cameras Shifted From U.S. to Global Supply Chain

- Topic: tech
- Source: [Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/flock-once-touted-its-cameras-as-made-in-the-usa-now-its-not-so-clear/)
- Published: 2026-09-17
- Original: https://www.wired.com/story/flock-once-touted-its-cameras-as-made-in-the-usa-now-its-not-so-clear/
- Language: en
- Image: https://media.wired.com/photos/6aa9b61b437d0124621287e4/master/pass/Where-Flock-Cameras-Are-Made-Business.jpg

## At a glance

- Founder built first prototype at home, but now uses overseas components
- Import records show many parts sourced from Primax Electronics in Thailand and China
- Final assembly moved to contract plants in North Carolina and Wisconsin, yet marketing no longer cites U.S. origin
- Political backlash and OSHA citation highlight growing scrutiny over Flock’s surveillance tech and workplace safety

## Sources

- [Wired](https://www.wired.com/story/flock-once-touted-its-cameras-as-made-in-the-usa-now-its-not-so-clear/)

## The story

Flock, the startup behind controversial license‑plate‑reading cameras, has long marketed its devices as “made in the USA.” The company’s founder, Garrett Langley, once built the first prototype in his Atlanta home, but recent investigations show the bulk of the hardware now comes from overseas suppliers. Import data reveal that many camera components are shipped from Primax Electronics, a Taiwan‑based firm with factories in China and Thailand. While Flock has shifted final assembly to contract plants in North Carolina and Wisconsin, the company’s own marketing materials have stopped mentioning a U.S. location altogether. The shift has coincided with a surge of protests and a congressional debate over federal funding for states that deploy Flock’s technology. Critics argue the cameras enable intrusive surveillance, while supporters claim they aid crime prevention. The lack of transparency over the supply chain has raised concerns about potential security vulnerabilities and compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act. OSHA cited Flock in July for a workplace injury, adding another layer of scrutiny to the firm’s operations.

> Summary by Daily Read Bytes. [Read the original source](https://www.wired.com/story/flock-once-touted-its-cameras-as-made-in-the-usa-now-its-not-so-clear/)