US News
Texas Governor Greg Abbott moves to pause state funding for Flock AI surveillance cameras
State agencies are clarifying that state funds cannot be used for the automated license plate readers amid privacy concerns and local contract cancellations.
The short version
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to pause funding for AI-powered Flock license plate cameras due to privacy and data-sharing concerns.
- The directive comes as local municipalities, including Pflugerville and Hood County, take steps to cancel their contracts and disconnect existing cameras.
- A state agency enabled the installation of over 3,000 Flock cameras since 2023, though Abbott's office noted that most funding for the devices comes from the federal government.
Key facts
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to halt funding for Flock Safety automated license plate readers.[Fox News]
- Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris stated that state agencies are clarifying funds cannot be used for Flock cameras, while noting most camera funding originates from the federal government.[Fox News]
- The Pflugerville City Council voted unanimously to terminate its agreement with Flock Safety, removing 28 camera readers.[Fox News]
- Hood County Commissioners Court voted to end its contract with Flock and ordered its three cameras to be covered and disconnected.[Fox News]
- The Texas Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority assisted in installing over 3,000 Flock cameras since 2023 using funds generated by a $1 fee on vehicle insurance policies.[Fox News]
- Flock Safety spokesperson Paris Lewbel defended the system as an essential law enforcement tool to track missing people and solve serious crimes while expressing support for privacy guardrails.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- It is unclear how many municipal or federally funded Flock cameras will remain operational across Texas following the state-level funding pause.[Fox News]