Texas Gov. Greg Abbott moves to cut state funding for AI-powered Flock cameras amid privacy concerns

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered state agencies to stop funding AI-powered Flock cameras due to nationwide privacy concerns. Most of the funding for these cameras, used by law enforcement to track vehicles, comes from the federal government, but any state funds are now being redirected. This action follows increasing scrutiny and contract cancellations by Texas cities citing privacy and data misuse worries.

• Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has directed state agencies to pause funding for AI-powered Flock cameras.
• The decision stems from growing privacy concerns surrounding the surveillance technology.
• Most funding for Flock cameras in Texas comes from the federal government, not state agencies.
• Several Texas cities and counties, including Pflugerville and Hood County, have recently canceled their contracts with Flock Safety.
• Flock Safety defends its technology as a vital public safety tool for law enforcement.
• A Texas state agency helped install over 3,000 Flock cameras since 2023, funded partly by a law against catalytic converter theft.
• US Senator Josh Hawley is also investigating Flock Safety’s national surveillance network.