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

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to pause funding Thursday
for AI-powered Flock cameras, which have come under scrutiny nationwide
amid privacy concerns. 

Abbott's office told Fox News Digital that the state was moving to cut
off state-agency funding for the cameras, while noting that most funding
for them comes from the federal government. 

"Almost all Flock cameras in Texas are used by cities, and those cities
are increasingly canceling their contracts with Flock," Abbott
spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris said in a statement. 

POWERFUL CRIME-FIGHTING SURVEILLANCE GROWTH SPURS LAWMAKERS TO ISSUE

"To the extent that cities get any funding for those cameras, most of it
comes from the federal government," Mahaleris continued. "To the extent
any funding comes from Texas agencies, those agencies are clarifying
that those funds cannot be used for Flock cameras." 

Flock Safety is one of the most widely used providers of automated
license plate readers (ALPRs) in Texas. The cameras photograph passing
vehicles and record identifying information. Using artificial
intelligence, the cameras can detect vehicle characteristics such as
make, model and color, as well as features including bumper stickers or
dents. 

Using the information collected, law enforcement agencies can search
records across participating camera networks. 

Supporters of the technology argue the cameras can help authorities
quickly locate criminal suspects, stolen vehicles or vehicles connected
to crimes. Opponents have raised concerns about privacy and data
sharing, as well as the potential misuse of information collected by the
cameras. 

FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS NEED CONSTITUTIONAL GUARDRAILS BEFORE FURTHER
DEPLOYMENT, TENNESSEE MAYOR ARGUES 

Abbott's move comes as a growing number of Texas cities and counties
reconsider their relationships with Flock, citing concerns over data
sharing, privacy and the potential for misuse. 

Earlier this week, the Pflugerville City Council voted unanimously to
end the city's agreement with Flock, eliminating all 28 camera readers
covered by the contract and disabling access to the system, according to
the city. 

In Hood County, the Commissioners Court also voted to end its
relationship with Flock and later unanimously directed that the county's
three cameras be disconnected and covered until they can be removed. 

Abbott said in a Friday radio interview that cities and counties have
begun canceling contracts with Flock Safety amid pressure from
residents, according to the Texas Tribune. 

MUST NEVER BECOME 

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Flock Safety spokesperson Paris
Lewbel defended the technology as an important public safety tool. 

"Flock’s technology is an important public safety tool for law
enforcement agencies across Texas, helping officers solve serious
crimes, find missing people, recover stolen vehicles, and support safer
communities," Lewbel said. 

"We support thoughtful legislation and strong privacy, transparency, and
accountability guardrails that ensure technology is used responsibly
while preserving law enforcement’s ability to use effective tools to
keep people safe," Lewbel continued. 

The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, a Texas state agency
created to combat vehicle theft, burglaries and fraud-related motor
vehicle crimes, helped state and local agencies install more than 3,000
Flock cameras since 2023, according to the Tribune. 


State grants for the cameras stemmed from a 2023 law that added $1 to
vehicle insurance policies across Texas to combat rampant catalytic
converter theft. Prior to the law, there had been no discussion in the
state Legislature about using the money for Flock cameras, the outlet
reported. 

Earlier this month, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, a
Republican, penned an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle urging Abbott to
halt new surveillance-technology purchases. 

Scrutiny of Flock's technology has also extended beyond Texas.

On Capitol Hill, Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is demanding answers from
Flock Safety. 

"Flock has assembled an unprecedented national surveillance network,"
Hawley previously told Fox News Digital. "They boast more than 120,000
cameras across 49 states and more than 20 billion vehicle scans every
month." 

Hawley said he is investigating the company to determine who has access
to data collected on hundreds of millions of vehicles. 

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/texas-gov-greg-abbott-moves-cut-state-fu
nding-ai-powered-flock-cameras-amid-privacy-concerns