Texas Governor pauses funding for Flock surveillance cameras

Governor Greg Abbott has moved to pause state funding for local grants used to purchase Flock AI-powered surveillance cameras following reports that a $1 auto insurance surcharge was being used to fund the network.

An investigation revealed that the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority used at least $30 million from the insurance fee to purchase and operate approximately 2,000 license plate readers. Additionally, the Texas Department of Public Safety received $15.9 million to acquire roughly 1,200 more cameras. The program aimed to expand surveillance across the state to combat vehicle theft and criminal organizations.

While law enforcement agencies, including the Dallas Police Department, defend the technology for its ability to reduce crime clearance times and intercept stolen vehicles, critics argue the network threatens Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. Abbott’s office stated that while cities may receive federal funding for such systems, state agencies are clarifying that state funds cannot be used for Flock cameras.