Flock Safety, a leading provider of computer vision-enabled video surveillance technology, has announced a significant funding round of $275 million, valuing the company at $7.5 billion. This latest investment, led by long-time venture capital partner Bedrock Capital, brings the total funding raised by Flock to over $950 million, according to Pitchbook data.

Flock's technology is used by law enforcement agencies, businesses, property management companies, and schools, among others. The company is best known for its automatic license plate recognition technology, but it also offers gunshot detection technology and has recently acquired public safety drone company Aerodome. Founded in 2017, Flock has experienced rapid growth, with annual recurring revenue exceeding $300 million last year, representing a 70% year-over-year increase.

The Atlanta-based startup has attracted significant attention from investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, GreenOaks, Meritech Capital, Matrix Partners, and Y Combinator, all of which participated in this latest funding round. Flock's valuation has more than doubled since its last funding round a year ago, when it was valued at $4.8 billion.

Despite its success, Flock has faced controversy surrounding its products, particularly with regards to mass surveillance and privacy concerns. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has expressed concerns about Flock's technology, urging the company to allow independent review of its products. Additionally, privacy advocates in Norfolk, Virginia are currently suing to stop Flock from being deployed in the area. The company is also facing a wrongful termination lawsuit from a sitting mayor of a small California town.

However, Flock's investors remain bullish on the company's prospects. Bedrock Capital's founder, Geoff Lewis, has been a long-time supporter of Flock, having flown to Atlanta in 2018 to persuade Flock co-founder Garrett Langley to take a $10 million Series A-1 investment. Since then, Bedrock has invested over $164 million in Flock. Other investors, such as David Ulevitch and David George from Andreessen Horowitz, have also praised Flock's products, stating that they are "literally helping to save lives."

Flock's revenue growth, combined with its public safety products, has led investors to "continue to double and triple down on Flock," according to Holly Beilin, a spokesperson for the company. As Flock continues to expand its product offerings and customer base, it will be interesting to see how the company addresses the ongoing controversy surrounding its products.

In the meantime, Flock's latest funding round solidifies its position as a leader in the surveillance technology industry, despite the challenges it faces. With its significant valuation and continued investor support, Flock is well-positioned to continue innovating and growing in the years to come.