Texas Halts State Funding for AI Surveillance Cameras
Gov. Greg Abbott freezes state spending on Flock Safety cameras amid growing privacy concerns and mounting reports of law enforcement misuse.
- By Jesse Jacobs
- Sep 01, 2026
Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered Texas state agencies to pause all funding for automated license plate readers manufactured by surveillance technology provider Flock Safety.
The directive halts state agency grants used by law enforcement to expand the artificial intelligence camera network, according to joint reports from The Spokesman-Review and The Texas Tribune.
Flock Safety technology captures and stores data on vehicle characteristics beyond license plate numbers, including make, model, color and distinguishing features like bumper stickers or body damage. Participating agencies can share access across a national database, creating an interconnected tracking system.
State funding for the devices had previously been drawn from a motor vehicle crime prevention grant program intended to combat localized vehicle theft. Since 2023, state-level grants funded the installation of thousands of cameras across local police departments and state highway patrol units.
Abbott's funding pause follows public backlash over potential Fourth Amendment violations and unauthorized system access. In one instance, a Texas police officer was indicted on felony charges after allegedly using the network to run thousands of unauthorized searches targeting individuals. Multiple law enforcement agencies throughout the state have opened investigations into similar system misuse.
In response to the governor's directive, Flock Safety stated that it supports legislative guardrails that protect privacy while preserving technology tools needed for public safety operations.