Texas Halts State Funding for Flock Surveillance Amid Privacy Concerns
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed state agencies to cut funding for Flock AI license-plate readers following public privacy backlash.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered all state agencies to terminate funding for automated license-plate reader systems operated by surveillance firm Flock Safety. The decision halts state-level financial backing for the artificial intelligence tracking platform.
The executive directive follows mounting public pushback over civil liberties, mass surveillance risks, and reports of unauthorized data access by law enforcement personnel. Privacy advocates have long criticized the automated tracking network for lacking adequate oversight.
The shift in Texas marks a notable policy reversal against ubiquitous automated monitoring technologies, potentially setting a precedent for other states evaluating biometric and automated vehicle surveillance contracts.
Key takeaways
- Texas Governor ordered state agencies to cease funding Flock Safety systems.
- The decision comes amid widespread criticism over mass privacy violations.
- The move could prompt broader pushback against automated surveillance tools.