Florida and Texas move to block Flock cameras over privacy concerns
Florida and Texas are moving to terminate their use of Flock Safety surveillance cameras due to growing concerns over data privacy and misuse by law enforcement. Both states cited incidents of unauthorized database access and surveillance overreach as primary reasons for the decision.
Why it matters
The move highlights a growing bipartisan pushback against the proliferation of automated surveillance technology and the potential for civil liberty violations.
The states of Florida and Texas are moving to end their relationship with surveillance giant Flock, as the company faces increasing backlash over privacy concerns and misuse of its tracking technology.
Florida’s Department of Transportation said in a memo on Monday that it will cease using license plate readers across the state’s highways, such as Flock’s cameras, citing “concerning reports of misuse, data privacy concerns, and surveillance schemes.” The state now has 30 days to remove the cameras.
The decision comes days after Florida governor Ron DeSantis called the license plate reading technology “out of control” in remarks during a press conference last Wednesday.
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