Texas Governor Abbott Halts State Funding for Flock Surveillance Cameras Amid Privacy Concerns
Governor Greg Abbott has issued an order to all state agencies to cease funding for Flock Safety surveillance cameras. This directive comes amidst growing scrutiny over the AI-powered devices, which have raised significant privacy concerns among residents and lawmakers. The order was issued as an investigation was being prepared to detail how a state agency had allocated at least $30 million to expand the state's Flock surveillance network through grants to local police departments. Abbott's spokesman confirmed that state agencies are now clarifying that these funds cannot be used for Flock cameras. The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, largely appointed by Governor Abbott, has facilitated the installation of at least 3,200 Flock cameras since 2023, with nearly 1,200 being installed by the Department of Public Safety under a $15.9 million contract. These grants originated from a 2023 law intended to combat catalytic converter theft, with no prior discussion of using the funds for surveillance techn... 
