Florida and Texas Ban Flock Safety Surveillance Technology

Several U.S. states are restricting or terminating the use of automated license plate readers provided by Flock Safety following reports of system misuse and privacy violations. In Florida, the Department of Transportation ordered the removal of license plate readers from state highways within 30 days, citing surveillance schemes and data privacy concerns. Governor Ron DeSantis described the technology as "out of control."

Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies to stop funding the cameras after reports of system abuse. This action follows the indictment of a Lufkin police officer on 100 felony counts for conducting unauthorized database searches. Additional concerns across these regions include cybersecurity risks, wrongful arrests caused by accuracy issues, and allegations that the company reactivated cameras in cities like Evanston, Cambridge, and Eugene after contracts ended.

In Connecticut, Governor Ned Lamont and the state AI Caucus called for a pause on new installations while officials develop further guidance to address resident backlash. To mitigate surveillance risks, the state signed a law in May—with provisions starting in October—that requires agencies to delete data after 21 days unless linked to an active criminal investigation. The law specifically prohibits using the data for immigration enforcement or investigations involving reproductive healthcare, gender-affirming healthcare, and First Amendment activities.