Flock Cameras Face Growing National Scrutiny

Flock Safety’s AI-powered license-plate camera network is facing growing bipartisan scrutiny over privacy, data retention, data sharing and potential misuse. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott blocked state funding for new Flock cameras, but the Texas Department of Public Safety plans to continue operating its existing network of at least 940 cameras, which generated roughly 615,000 searches in June by more than 3,000 agencies nationwide. In Dallas, the City Council rejected a proposed $1.5 million funding cut, leaving about 300 city-funded cameras in place while hundreds supported by state grants are being shut down. At least 149 communities have deactivated, rejected or canceled contracts or banned automated license-plate readers since the start of the year, and protests reached a record in August. Supporters say the cameras help solve serious crimes and locate missing or stolen vehicles, while critics warn that interconnected databases enable broad tracking of innocent drivers and could create a nationwide surveillance system without adequate safeguards.