The head of a premium backpack company is under fire for stating he informed the police after noticing one of his products on the person accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

In a report by the New York Times, Peak Design’s CEO Peter Dering shared that several individuals texted him, indicating that the gunman in surveillance footage appeared to be using a backpack made by his company. This information prompted him to contact the NYPD’s tip line the day following the incident to share his insights.

With the arrest of Luigi Mangione for the December 4 murder of Thompson, Dering and Peak Design have faced significant backlash on social media from users who view the incident as a critique of the healthcare system in the United States.

In response to the growing discontent, the company issued a statement last week clarifying its stance on privacy.

CEO of Peak Design Informs NYPD Regarding Backpack

The NYPD released surveillance images of the individual suspected of Thompson’s murder, showing him with a gray backpack.

The backpack, which was later discovered to contain fake money, identified as Monopoly game currency post-shooting, was described by Dering as an outdated model of Peak Design’s Everyday Backpack. He believed that this specific bag had not been sold since 2019.

Dering noted to the Times that when he reported the information, the NYPD informed him they had already received “hundreds” of tips regarding the backpack’s identification as a Peak Design product. He also mentioned that if the police required more information, he would consult with his legal team to ensure compliance with the company’s privacy protocols.

“My natural instinct is to assist in any way possible to help locate this suspect,” Dering shared with the Times.

Reports from CNN and Axios indicate that Dering and his team at Peak Design have received threats following the tragic incident. YSL News has reached out for further comment from the company.

Greg Ewing, a data privacy attorney based in Washington, D.C., informed CNN that companies typically share customer data in response to an official court order or subpoena.

Peak Design Clarifies Customer Privacy Policy Amidst Backlash

Dering’s remarks have led to significant criticism online, with some criticizing him as a “snitch” and others raising concerns about the potential misuse of their personal purchase information.

In light of the criticism, the company released a statement last Friday reassuring consumers that “Peak Design has not shared customer data with the authorities and will only do so with a subpoena.”

“We cannot match a product’s serial number to a customer without the customer voluntarily registering their product on our website,” the statement clarified. “If a customer chooses to register their Peak Design product and it is reported lost or stolen, they can contact our customer service team to remove their registration, ensuring it cannot be traced back to them.”

The statement included a link to the company’s privacy policy for customers.