Texas grapples with fast-expanding Flock ALPR network amid privacy concerns

Texas is seeing a rapid expansion of Flock Safety license-plate reader cameras across cities and along highways, feeding data to a broad network of local and state agencies with nationwide lookup capabilities that can bypass warrants. The push has ignited a privacy backlash, with some cities terminating contracts, lawmakers proposing warrant requirements, and advocates raising concerns about misidentifications, data security, and potential use in immigration enforcement. Public records show thousands of cameras in the state (including dozens around Waco) and ongoing debates about safeguards, while DPS highlights data sharing with hundreds of partners and the cameras’ role in solving crimes, despite incidents of vandalism and misuse reports across the country.