Texas freezes installation of Flock cameras along state roads

In late August, Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to halt funding for new Flock cameras, a type of automated license plate reader (ALPR), on state roads in response to privacy concerns and misuse allegations. As of Thursday, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) confirmed they are no longer issuing permits for new Flock cameras along state highways, though existing ones will remain operational. There were over 13,000 Flock cameras operating across Texas as of August, with approximately 900 already installed and operated by the state’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) continuing to function despite the halt on new installations. TxDOT clarified that their role is to ensure correct and safe installation along state-owned roadways but does not handle the actual installation or have access to data from these cameras, which are primarily purchased through federal funding by cities rather than the state.