Texas Governor Greg Abbott Pauses Funding for AI-Powered Flock Cameras Due to Privacy Concerns

<p>Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to pause funding on August 28, 2026, for AI-powered Flock cameras, which have faced scrutiny nationwide over privacy issues.</p><p>Abbott's office stated that the state is moving to cut off funding for the cameras from state agencies, while noting that most funding is sourced from the federal government.</p><p>"Almost all Flock cameras in Texas are used by cities, and those cities are increasingly canceling their contracts with Flock," said Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris in a statement.</p><p>Mahaleris added, "To the extent that cities get any funding for those cameras, most of it comes from the federal government. To the extent any funding comes from Texas agencies, those agencies are clarifying that those funds cannot be used for Flock cameras."</p><p>Flock Safety is a major provider of automated license plate readers (ALPRs) in Texas. The cameras capture images of passing vehicles and record identifying information. They utilize artificial intelligence to detect vehicle characteristics such as make, model, and color, as well as features like bumper stickers or dents.</p><p>Law enforcement agencies can use the collected information to search records across participating camera networks.</p><p>Proponents of the technology argue that the cameras can assist authorities in quickly locating criminal suspects, stolen vehicles, or vehicles linked to crimes. However, opponents express concerns regarding privacy, data sharing, and the potential misuse of the information collected by the cameras.</p><p>Abbott's directive follows a trend among Texas cities and counties reassessing their relationships with Flock, citing worries about data sharing, privacy, and potential misuse. Earlier this week, the Pflugerville City Council voted unanimously to terminate its agreement with Flock, which included 28 camera readers, and disabled access to the system.</p><p>In Hood County, the Commissioners Court also voted to end its relationship with Flock and directed that the county's three cameras be disconnected and covered until removal.</p><p>Abbott mentioned in a radio interview that cities and counties have begun canceling contracts with Flock Safety due to pressure from residents, according to the Texas Tribune.</p><p>Flock Safety spokesperson Paris Lewbel defended the technology, stating, "Flock’s technology is an important public safety tool for law enforcement agencies across Texas, helping officers solve serious crimes, find missing people, recover stolen vehicles, and support safer communities."</p><p>Lewbel added, "We support thoughtful legislation and strong privacy, transparency, and accountability guardrails that ensure technology is used responsibly while preserving law enforcement’s ability to use effective tools to keep people safe."</p><p>The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, a Texas state agency aimed at combating vehicle theft and related crimes, has assisted state and local agencies in installing over 3,000 Flock cameras since 2023, according to the Tribune.</p><p>State grants for the cameras originated from a 2023 law that increased vehicle insurance policies across Texas by $1 to address catalytic converter theft. Prior to this law, there had been no discussions in the state Legislature about using the funds for Flock cameras.</p><p>Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a Republican, recently wrote an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle urging Abbott to stop new surveillance technology purchases.</p><p>Concerns regarding Flock's technology have also emerged beyond Texas. On Capitol Hill, Senator Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is seeking answers from Flock Safety, stating, "Flock has assembled an unprecedented national surveillance network." Hawley noted that the company operates more than 120,000 cameras across 49 states and conducts over 20 billion vehicle scans each month. He is investigating the company to determine who has access to data collected on hundreds of millions of vehicles.</p>