Texas Governor Greg Abbott has halted state spending on Flock's AI surveillance cameras amid growing bipartisan backlash. The freeze comes as a Texas Tribune investigation revealed the state spent over $30 million on the technology.
Abbott's decision to block additional funding marks a significant reversal for the surveillance program. The state had primarily financed Flock cameras through a $1 fee added to insurance policies, ostensibly to combat catalytic converter theft.
The move precedes publication of the Tribune's full investigation into the camera network's costs and scope. Flock cameras have faced mounting criticism from across the political spectrum, with concerns centered on privacy implications and the expanded use of AI surveillance infrastructure.
The $30 million spending figure underscores the scale of Texas's investment in the technology. Questions about how the funds were allocated and the effectiveness of the cameras in addressing theft remain central to the debate.
Abbot's funding freeze signals potential policy shifts regarding surveillance technology adoption in Texas, though details on whether the state will maintain existing camera installations remain unclear.
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