Backpack Company Faces Backlash Over CEO's Police Tip

The CEO of Peak Design, a company known for its premium backpacks, says he and his employees have received threats after he identified one of the company’s bags in the surveillance footage related to the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Auzinea Bacon and Chris Boyette reported for CNN.

Peter Dering, the founder and CEO of the San Francisco-based firm, contacted a police tip line after recognizing the gray backpack worn by alleged gunman Luigi Mangione. I Photo: NYPD Facebook

Peter Dering, the founder and CEO of the San Francisco-based firm, contacted a police tip line after recognizing the gray backpack worn by alleged gunman Luigi Mangione.

In a December report by The New York Times, Dering said he reached out to authorities immediately upon seeing the images and offered assistance while emphasizing the importance of protecting customer privacy.

“We take customer privacy seriously. Misinformation on social media has led to serious threats to the safety of me and my employees,” Dering said in a statement. He asked the public to consider the facts shared by the company and to “continue to trust Peak Design.”

Despite his cooperation, some social media users have labeled Dering a “snitch.” Posts on TikTok have encouraged bag owners to remove serial tags or even return their products in protest.