Texas agency suspends Flock camera approvals

The Texas Department of Transportation has paused issuing approvals for Flock-branded automated license plate readers as questions about the devices' security and privacy features mount. The agency said its permit review process focuses on correct and safe installation along state-owned roadways and does not comment on operational decisions.

By AI Newsroom· Reviewed by Pranav, Founder & Editor-in-ChiefPublished about 1 hour agoUpdated about 1 hour ago0 views

Texas agency suspends Flock camera approvals

Why It Matters

The suspension affects deployment of automated license plate readers on Texas state roads and signals regulatory scrutiny of surveillance technologies amid public privacy and security concerns. How TxDOT and other authorities address those concerns could influence future use of ALPR systems nationwide.

Key Facts

Action taken: TxDOT suspended issuing approvals for Flock automated license plate readers (ALPRs)
Reason cited: Growing security and privacy concerns surrounding the technology
Agency statement: TxDOT reviews permits to ensure license plate readers are installed correctly and safely along state-owned roadways
Source: NewsNation

The Texas Department of Transportation has halted the issuance of approvals for automated license plate readers supplied by Flock, citing mounting concerns about the technology's security and privacy implications. The decision pauses the permitting process for installations on state-owned roadways while those issues are being considered.

A TxDOT spokesperson told NewsNation that the agency’s role is limited to reviewing permits to confirm ALPR units are installed properly and safely along state roads. In the quoted statement, TxDOT emphasized that it does not have a role beyond the technical and safety review of installations.

The suspension reflects broader scrutiny of ALPR systems, which raise questions about data collection, retention, access and potential vulnerabilities. By pausing approvals specifically for Flock devices, TxDOT is signaling a need to address those concerns before allowing further deployments on state infrastructure.

Details on how long the suspension will remain in place or what specific security or privacy issues prompted the action were not provided in the statement to NewsNation.