Texas Gov. Greg Abbott moves to cut state funding for AI-powered Flock cameras amid privacy concerns
Greg Abbott ordered Texas agencies to pause funding for Flock Safety's AI-powered license plate readers as cities cancel contracts over privacy.
TL;DR
- 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.