Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ordered all state agencies to cease funding for Flock, the artificial intelligence surveillance camera system, marking a significant political shift against the technology. The Republican governor’s directive came as growing concerns about the cameras’ privacy implications have sparked opposition from both sides of the political aisle across the country.
The decision emerged just as reports revealed that Texas had allocated approximately $30 million in grants to local agencies for Flock camera acquisition, with funding sourced from increased vehicle insurance fees imposed by state lawmakers. Abbott’s move follows criticism from his Democratic opponent, Gina Hinojosa, who recently launched a campaign advertisement warning constituents about the widespread surveillance network and its ability to track vehicle movements without judicial warrants.
The pushback against Flock extends beyond Texas, with candidates in states including Michigan and Pennsylvania campaigning against the surveillance infrastructure. Documented instances of law enforcement personnel misusing camera data to stalk and harass individuals have intensified public concern, prompting the creation of resources like “Have I Been Flocked?” to alert citizens of surveillance capture. Additionally, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley initiated an investigation into the company’s data management practices.
With more than 120,000 Flock cameras deployed across 49 states, opposition to the technology has evolved from grassroots activism to mainstream political discourse, establishing surveillance as a bipartisan policy concern among elected officials nationwide.
Originally reported by Mashable →
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