In a clear response to growing privacy concerns, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced Thursday that it will no longer issue permits for new Flock automated license‑plate readers (ALPRs) on state‑owned roadways. The pause, ordered by Governor Greg Abbott, does not affect the more than 900 cameras already operating under permits granted to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
What the pause covers
TxDOT said the suspension applies to any permit that has been approved but not yet installed, as well as to any new applications submitted after the freeze began. The agency clarified that while it reviews and approves permits, it does not install the devices nor does it have access to the data they collect.
Governor Abbott’s rationale
Governor Abbott issued a late‑August executive order that blocked state funding for the Flock system after The Texas Tribune prepared an investigation into a small state agency that had directed at least $30 million toward more than 3,200 cameras across Texas. Abbott warned that the program risked creating a “surveillance state” and emphasized the need to protect Texans’ privacy.
Background on the Flock program
Flock cameras scan every passing vehicle, capturing license‑plate numbers and other identifying information for storage in a searchable database. Proponents, including law‑enforcement agencies, argue the technology is a powerful tool for solving crimes such as vehicle theft and locating missing persons. Critics, however, contend that the pervasive data collection infringes on civil liberties and has already led to incidents where officers were investigated for using the system to stalk private individuals.
Local response and ongoing actions
City councils and county commissions throughout Texas have begun unplugging their own Flock units in response to resident pressure. In Schertz, a city northeast of San Antonio, the police chief confirmed that the state‑wide pause began on Sept. 8, though TxDOT has not publicly confirmed that exact start date.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis took a similar stance on Aug. 31, ordering his state’s transportation department to remove the cameras, citing a desire to avoid a “surveillance state.” Texas officials appear to be following that example.
Impact on existing infrastructure
While the freeze halts new installations, hundreds of the estimated 13,000 Flock cameras in Texas remain operational. Some have already been shut down after the funding block, but the majority continue to function under existing permits.
What comes next?
TxDOT has not indicated a timeline for lifting the suspension. The agency says it will continue to review permit applications to ensure any future installations meet safety and privacy standards. Meanwhile, Governor Abbott’s administration is expected to evaluate alternative approaches to traffic safety and crime‑prevention that do not rely on mass surveillance.
Texans who wish to voice their opinions on the issue can contact their local representatives or attend upcoming TxDOT public meetings, which are scheduled to discuss the future of automated license‑plate readers in the state.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
