Texas blocks funding for Flock as backlash grows against AI surveillance cameras
Backlash against Flock has led to the state of Texas pausing funding on the AI cameras.
Flock's AI surveillance cameras are facing growing opposition across the United States, not only from vigilantes but also from politicians of both major parties. Texas Governor Greg Abbot, a Republican, has recently halted funding for the company in his state. The decision came after The Texas Tribune published a report revealing that the state had spent at least $30 million in grants on acquiring Flock cameras, which were funded through an additional fee on car insurance policies.
The controversy intensified just days before Abbot's order, as his Democratic rival Gina Hinojosa released a campaign ad accusing Abbot of allowing 10,000 Flock cameras to monitor Texans' activities without a warrant. These cameras allegedly record license plate information, as well as details about individuals' sleeping and praying habits.
Reports have emerged of law enforcement officers misusing Flock cameras and their data to stalk and harass individuals. In response, websites such as "Have I Been Flocked?" have been created, warning users if their license plates have been captured by a Flock camera. The backlash against Flock is not limited to Texas, with candidates from both parties in states like Michigan and Pennsylvania running on anti-surveillance platforms and criticizing opponents for supporting policies that led to Flock installations in their states.
Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan has even labeled his opponent, Republican Mike Rogers, "Mass Surveillance Mike" due to his support for Flock cameras. Furthermore, Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri has announced an investigation into Flock Safety, the company behind the cameras, to examine how it manages the captured data. With over 120,000 Flock cameras in operation across 49 states, the issue has gained bipartisan attention among politicians.
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