Texas — Gov. Greg Abbott has directed Texas state agencies to stop allowing state funds to be used for Flock Safety automated license plate reader cameras as scrutiny grows over privacy, data access and alleged misuse of the technology.
The directive does not shut down every Flock camera in Texas. Cities, counties and law enforcement agencies may still operate systems funded through local or federal sources.
The move comes as a new investigation found Texas has directed at least $30 million in state-supported funding toward expanding Flock camera networks since 2023.
That effort has helped support thousands of cameras across the state, including systems used by local law enforcement and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
According to the investigation:
• At least 3,200 Flock cameras have been installed or supported through state-backed efforts.
• At least 95 grants helped local agencies acquire or maintain roughly 2,000 cameras.
• About $15.9 million helped DPS add nearly 1,200 cameras.
• Another $3 million was approved this month to help DPS install 583 additional cameras along Texas tollways.
Part of the funding trail is tied to a $1 fee added to annual Texas auto insurance policies in 2023 to support motor-vehicle crime prevention efforts.
That fee has generated tens of millions of dollars for broader auto-theft and vehicle-crime programs, some of which was later used to support Flock deployments.
Growing Scrutiny Across Texas
Abbott’s decision comes as several Texas communities are reconsidering or scaling back their use of Flock technology.
Pflugerville recently rejected a proposed two-year renewal after questions surfaced about outside agencies accessing license plate data collected through the city’s system.
Kendall County also recently voted not to renew its Flock contract following privacy concerns.
Separate cases involving alleged misuse of Flock data by law enforcement personnel have also drawn attention across the state.
Supporters of automated license plate readers argue the technology can help police locate stolen vehicles, identify suspect vehicles and assist with investigations involving organized crime.
Critics have raised concerns about how long vehicle-location data is retained, who can access it and whether local agencies can fully control how that information is shared.
For now, Abbott’s directive represents a major shift in Texas’ approach to funding the technology: state agencies can no longer use state money to pay for Flock cameras.