Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has directed state agencies to pause all funding for Flock cameras, an AI-powered automated license plate reader (ALPR) system, following growing scrutiny over privacy and misuse concerns. A spokesperson for Abbott’s office confirmed the order in a statement to the Texas Tribune on Thursday, clarifying that while most Flock camera funding comes from federal sources, state agencies will no longer allocate funds for the technology.
The directive comes as Houston police report at least five Flock cameras have been vandalized this summer, including one cut down in the Heights neighborhood last week. The cameras, which photograph passing vehicles and record identifying information such as make, model, and license plates, have been a point of contention among residents and elected officials. Critics argue the technology enables government surveillance, while supporters contend it aids in solving crimes and recovering stolen vehicles.
State funding mechanisms
A significant portion of Flock camera funding in Texas has historically come from the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, a board within the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The authority provides grants to state and local agencies to combat vehicle theft, including catalytic converter theft, which surged in recent years. Since 2023, at least $30 million in state funding for Flock cameras has been allocated through a $1 increase in car insurance fees, implemented as part of a state law to address theft. Abbott’s office stated that any state funds currently earmarked for Flock cameras would be withheld, though most municipal funding originates from federal sources.
Misuse allegations and law enforcement response
The move follows high-profile allegations of Flock camera misuse. This week, a former Katy police officer, Sergio Rodriguez, was charged with two felony counts of stalking after officials allege he used Flock cameras to track his ex-wife for five months. The case has intensified concerns about potential abuse of the technology by law enforcement.
Houston Police Department officials, including Assistant Chief Noe Diaz, have defended the cameras as critical tools for crime prevention and investigation. Diaz stated this month that vandalism of Flock cameras hinders law enforcement efforts and called for accountability for those responsible. Proponents of the technology argue that ALPRs like Flock enable rapid identification of stolen vehicles, missing persons, and suspects in criminal investigations.
Privacy concerns and national debate
The Texas directive aligns with broader national scrutiny of AI-powered surveillance tools. Flock Safety, the company behind the cameras, operates in more than 1,500 communities across Texas, according to company data. The technology’s use has sparked bipartisan debate, with some lawmakers warning of an encroaching surveillance state. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has previously criticized similar systems, framing them as threats to civil liberties.
Abbott’s office emphasized that the funding pause applies only to state-agency contributions, not federal or local funding sources. The governor’s spokesperson, Andrew Mahaleris, noted that while Flock cameras are widely used by cities, state funds would no longer support their deployment or maintenance. The order does not explicitly ban the technology but removes a key financial incentive for its continued use by state-funded agencies.
Background on Flock cameras
Flock Safety’s ALPRs use artificial intelligence to analyze vehicle characteristics, including license plates, make, model, color, and distinctive features like bumper stickers or dents. The system allows law enforcement to search records across participating networks, enabling cross-jurisdictional tracking of vehicles linked to crimes. The company markets the technology as a tool to reduce vehicle theft, recover stolen property, and assist in missing persons cases.
The Texas decision follows a trend of local governments reassessing their use of ALPRs. In recent months, several cities have canceled contracts with Flock Safety amid public backlash over privacy concerns. Advocacy groups have raised alarms about the potential for mass surveillance, data retention practices, and the lack of transparency in how collected data is used and shared.
State agencies have been directed to clarify existing funding restrictions and ensure no state resources are allocated to Flock cameras moving forward. The governor’s office did not specify whether the pause would lead to a permanent funding ban or additional regulatory measures.