Texas Councilman Proposes Ban on Technology Following Surveillance Camera Dispute
In Bandera, Texas, a city councilman named Jeff Flowers is proposing a radical ban on technology following a contentious debate over surveillance cameras. The town, known as the 'Cowboy Capital of the World,' had installed automated license plate recognition cameras using a state grant. These cameras, designed to enhance security by photographing vehicles and storing data, faced backlash from residents concerned about privacy. After several heated town hall meetings, the city council decided to discontinue the surveillance program. In response, Flowers suggested a 'Bandera Declaration of Digital Independence,' which includes banning smartphones, internet services, and electronic record-keeping within the city. His proposal is seen as a reaction to the opposition against the surveillance cameras, framing it as a broader critique of digital surveillance and privacy issues. 
