AUSTIN
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed all state agencies Thursday to halt funding for Flock cameras, the AI-powered license plate readers that have sparked a privacy backlash across the state.
The order, confirmed Friday by Abbott's office, came after a Texas investigation revealed that the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority—a board largely appointed by Abbott—had steered at least $30 million in state funds to expand the Flock network to more than 3,200 cameras statewide.
"State agencies are now clarifying that their funds cannot be used for Flock cameras," said Andrew Mahaleris, Abbott's spokesman, adding that most municipal funding for the devices comes from federal sources.
The authority, created to combat catalytic converter theft, facilitated the camera rollout after lawmakers in 2023 unanimously approved a $1-per-vehicle insurance surcharge. But legislators told the Texas Tribune they had never discussed using that revenue for surveillance technology.
The Department of Public Safety alone is installing nearly 1,200 Flock cameras through a $15.9 million three-year contract with the authority.
Flock cameras function as advanced license plate readers, using artificial intelligence to capture and store vehicle data—license plates, make, model, color, bumper stickers, dents—and allow law enforcement agencies to share access across a networked system.
Flock Safety said in a statement that it supports "thoughtful legislation" that balances privacy safeguards with law enforcement needs and called its technology "a critical tool" for solving serious crimes and locating missing persons.
But local governments have begun rebelling. In Pflugerville, the City Council voted unanimously to terminate its Flock contract, removing 28 cameras. Hood County officials ordered three Flock devices disconnected and covered pending permanent removal. Abbott acknowledged the local "crackdown" Friday morning as cities unwind their agreements with Flock Safety.
