Flock surveillance cameras spark bipartisan backlash over privacy concerns
Flock cameras spark bipartisan backlash as local governments pull the plug on the AI surveillance technology over privacy concerns. ‘The Five’ debates the utility of license plate readers versus the risk of surveillance abuse, highlighting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis warning against a growing surveillance state in more than 100 cities.
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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 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.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott moved to cut off state-agency funding for Flock cameras as communities across the state reconsider their use of the technology. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
“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.
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An aerial view shows a Flock Safety camera mounted to a light pole in Burbank, Calif., on Aug. 3, 2026. (Getty Images)
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.
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A Flock Safety camera is shown mounted to a light pole on August 3, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
In a statement to 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.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is seen on Nov. 14, 2025 in Midlothian, Texas. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
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 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.
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Digital’s Stepheny Price contributed to this report.
