AUSTIN — The Texas Department of Transportation has stopped issuing permits for Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers along state roads at Gov. Greg Abbott’s direction, the agency confirmed Thursday.
The pause does not affect cameras already installed along state rights-of-way, including more than 900 cameras operated through the Texas Department of Public Safety. TxDOT also said the suspension covers approved agreements for cameras that have not yet been installed.
“TxDOT’s role is to review permits to ensure license plate readers are installed correctly and safely along state-owned roadways,” an agency spokesperson said. “This suspension also includes agreements that are approved but not yet installed.”
TxDOT said it reviews and approves permits but does not install the cameras or access data collected from Flock devices along state roads.
A presentation from the Schertz police chief indicated that the pause started Sept. 8, although TxDOT did not immediately confirm that date.
Flock cameras scan passing vehicles and collect license plate numbers and other identifying information that users can search through a database. The technology has faced growing privacy concerns across Texas.
Abbott ordered state agencies in late August to stop using state funds for Flock cameras after scrutiny over at least $30 million in state funding that helped support more than 3,200 cameras across Texas.
Texas had an estimated 13,000 Flock cameras in August, along with about 1,000 similar license plate readers, according to DeFlock. Hundreds of Flock cameras have since gone offline following Abbott’s funding freeze.
The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority had helped fund at least 3,200 Flock cameras since 2023, including almost 1,200 cameras for DPS through a $15.9 million contract. The authority also approved an additional $3 million for 583 cameras along seven Texas toll roads before Abbott issued his funding directive.
Local governments have also begun reassessing their camera networks amid privacy concerns and investigations into alleged misuse of the technology.
Law enforcement agencies have defended Flock cameras as a tool that helps officers investigate crimes, recover stolen vehicles and locate missing people.