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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has directed state agencies to cease funding for artificial intelligence-powered Flock Safety cameras, responding to mounting privacy objections across the state. The directive, announced Thursday, represents a significant shift in the governor’s approach to the surveillance technology, which has faced intense scrutiny from residents and local officials over data collection and potential misuse.
Most funding for the cameras originates from federal sources rather than state coffers, according to Abbott’s spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris. The governor’s order clarifies that Texas state agencies cannot allocate their budgets toward Flock camera purchases, though cities and counties may continue using federal money if they choose to maintain the systems.
Flock Safety operates one of the nation’s largest automated license plate reader networks in Texas. The cameras photograph vehicles and extract identifying data, utilizing artificial intelligence to classify vehicle characteristics such as make, model, color, and visible features like bumper stickers or damage, then share this information with law enforcement agencies across participating networks.
Multiple Texas municipalities have moved to eliminate their contracts with Flock in recent weeks. Pflugerville’s city council voted unanimously this week to terminate its agreement and disable access to all 28 camera readers, while Hood County commissioners voted to disconnect and cover its three cameras pending removal.
Flock Safety defended its technology as essential for law enforcement operations. Company spokesperson Paris Lewbel stated that the cameras assist officers in solving crimes, locating missing persons, and recovering stolen vehicles while emphasizing the company’s commitment to privacy protections and accountability measures.
The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, a state agency established to combat vehicle theft and catalytic converter theft, had installed over 3,000 Flock cameras since 2023 using grant money. State funding derived from a 2023 law adding $1 to vehicle insurance premiums statewide to address catalytic converter theft.
Scrutiny of Flock extends beyond Texas borders. U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is investigating the company’s data access and security practices, noting that Flock operates more than 120,000 cameras nationwide across 49 states and processes more than 20 billion vehicle scans monthly.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a Republican, previously urged Abbott to halt new surveillance technology purchases, publishing an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle highlighting concerns about expanded monitoring capabilities.
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