Governor Greg Abbott issued an order on Thursday night, August 27, to halt state agency funding for Flock Safety cameras, a decision confirmed by his spokesperson on Friday. The move follows increasing scrutiny over the AI-powered surveillance devices and coincided with a Texas Tribune investigation into the state's investment in the technology. The investigation found that a state agency had dedicated at least $30 million to building out Texas's Flock surveillance network, providing grants to local police departments.
The funds for these cameras largely originated from a $1 fee added to Texans' auto insurance policies, enacted by the state legislature in 2023. This fee was intended to combat a rise in catalytic converter thefts. However, several lawmakers who approved the fee stated they did not anticipate the money would be used to finance a statewide license plate surveillance system. The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, a state agency with a board largely appointed by Governor Abbott, has facilitated the installation of at least 3,200 Flock cameras since 2023 using these funds.
Flock Safety cameras are automated license plate readers (ALPRs) that employ artificial intelligence to capture and store data on vehicle characteristics, including make, model, color, license plate numbers, and even details like bumper stickers and dents. This information is then uploaded to a national database accessible to law enforcement agencies with Flock contracts. The company states that its technology is a public safety tool, but critics, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), argue that these systems create a broad surveillance network that can track individuals not accused of any crime.
Concerns about misuse have intensified. In Lufkin, Texas, a police officer was indicted on felony charges for allegedly searching his ex-girlfriend's license plate thousands of times using the Flock network. This incident is among several reports of law enforcement officers being placed on leave, investigated, or criminally charged for improper use of the technology across Texas. Nationally, at least 50 law enforcement officers have been charged or accused of using license plate readers for unofficial reasons, including stalking, according to a Washington Post analysis.
In response to the growing backlash, cities and counties across Texas have begun canceling their contracts with Flock Safety. Pflugerville City Council, for example, voted to terminate its agreement, leading to the removal of 28 cameras. Hood County also decided to disconnect its three cameras. Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Governor Abbott, noted that "almost all Flock cameras in Texas are used by cities, and those cities are increasingly canceling their contracts with Flock." He also clarified that while federal funding accounts for most camera acquisitions by cities, any state agency funds cannot be used for Flock cameras.
The debate over Flock cameras has extended beyond Texas. Senator Josh Hawley, who chairs the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, initiated a review of Flock's operations, citing insufficient safeguards within these systems. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has also highlighted concerns, stating that Flock's business model relies on an interconnected surveillance network that poses risks no software update can fully address. Flock Safety recently announced operational changes, including reducing its standard data retention period from one month to one week, and introducing an "Evidence Mode" to preserve data linked to case numbers. However, the ACLU has expressed skepticism, suggesting that such changes may not fully address the underlying privacy issues.