$1 is all it took for Texas to litter the state with Flock surveillance cameras from drivers’ pockets
Roughly 3,200 Flock cameras in Texas were funded through money raised by a $1 auto insurance fee originally approved to combat vehicle crime.
A recent Texas investigation revealed that the state now hosts an estimated 13,000 Flock surveillance cameras, many of which were funded by drivers who paid a $1 annual insurance surcharge. Over a quarter of the cameras were reportedly financed through this fee, which raised $81 million for Flock deployments since its introduction in 2023.
The money also funded around 2,000 cameras for local police and a $15.9 million investment for the Texas Department of Public Safety. Despite lawmakers' surprise at the cameras' usage, the fee has sparked opposition, with some localities canceling contracts and voters in League City considering a ballot measure on the matter. Critics warn that the widespread use of automated license plate readers raises privacy concerns and could violate constitutional protections.
Meanwhile, Uber has rolled out live video streaming for teen rides in several US markets, allowing parents to monitor their children's trips in real-time.
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