Texas Governor Abbott Freezes Funding for Flock Surveillance Cameras

<figure> <img alt="Illustration of hands holding instruments to destroy a Flock camera" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/08/268713_Americans_seem_to_agree_that_destroy_Flock_cameras_is_good_CVirginia.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Texas Governor Greg Abbott has frozen state spending on Flock's AI surveillance cameras. This decision was made in response to growing backlash against the cameras and comes just ahead of a Texas Tribune investigation that revealed the state spent over $30 million on Flock cameras. The funding was primarily raised by adding a $1 fee to insurance policies, which was allegedly intended to help combat catalytic converter theft.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Flock cameras have faced increasing criticism from various political groups due to privacy concerns. There have been several incidents where officers have been placed on leave or faced criminal charges for misusing Flock systems.</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/986541/texas-governor-abbott-flock-cameras">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>