Texas governor freezes state funding for Flock AI surveillance cameras amid backlash

Texas Governor Greg Abbott blocked state funding for Flock’s AI-powered surveillance cameras amid escalating bipartisan backlash over privacy and misuse concerns. The decision follows a Texas Tribune investigation that revealed the state spent more than $30 million on Flock cameras, with funds primarily raised through a $1 fee added to insurance policies—originally justified as a measure to combat catalytic converter theft.

Flock’s automated license plate readers (ALPRs) have faced criticism from both political parties in Texas, with incidents of law enforcement misuse contributing to the scrutiny. At least six officers in Texas have been placed on leave or criminally charged for misusing Flock systems. The company has also drawn attention for its data-sharing practices, placement of cameras near playgrounds, unsecured video feeds, and lack of transparency.

The backlash has extended beyond Texas, with cities across the country canceling contracts with Flock. Abbott’s Democratic opponent in the gubernatorial race, Gina Hinojosa, has criticized his administration’s expansion of the program, while Republican representative Keith Self publicly opposed the surveillance tools, stating, 'From Flock cameras to kill switches, we will NOT surrender our Fourth Amendment rights to the growing surveillance state.'

Public opposition has manifested in online campaigns, including calls to destroy Flock cameras, reflecting broader concerns about the proliferation of AI surveillance technologies and their impact on civil liberties.