Texas halts Flock funding amid rising opposition to AI surveillance cameras

Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, recently blocked state funding for Flock, an AI surveillance camera company, citing growing bipartisan opposition. The decision followed a report revealing that Texas had allocated $30 million in grants to local agencies for Flock cameras, funded by higher car insurance fees. Abbott’s move came just days before his Democratic challenger, Gina Hinojosa, criticized him in a campaign ad, warning Texans about the invasive nature of Flock cameras. Meanwhile, Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri announced an investigation into Flock’s data handling practices. The backlash extends beyond Texas, with candidates in Michigan and Pennsylvania criticizing Flock installations. Over 120,000 Flock cameras are now installed across 49 states, sparking concerns about privacy and misuse by law enforcement. Websites like Have I Been Flocked? now alert users if their license plates have been captured by Flock cameras.