Florida and Texas move to block Flock cameras over privacy concerns - TechCrunch

Florida's Department of Transportation issued a memo Monday ordering the removal of license plate readers, including Flock's cameras, from highways across the state within 30 days. The memo pointed to "concerning reports of misuse, data privacy concerns, and surveillance schemes." The move came just days after Governor Ron DeSantis called the technology "out of control" at a press conference last Wednesday. Texas had already ordered state agencies to act before Florida's announcement.

For people here in Lubbock, this matters. Flock cameras have been adopted by law enforcement agencies across Texas, and the state-level order puts pressure on how local departments handle the technology going forward. License plate readers can log where a vehicle travels, when, and how often, building a detailed movement record without a warrant or any suspicion of wrongdoing.

Two of the largest states in the country are now pushing back against a surveillance company that had quietly spread its hardware across thousands of roads and parking lots. Whether Texas's order reaches city and county contracts, or only state agency use, remains unanswered.