Texas bars state funds for Flock cameras (Aug 28, 2026); EFF analysis of both state actions

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TEXAS, 28 AUGUST 2026. Governor Greg Abbott issued an order barring state agencies from spending public funds on Flock cameras. Reporting places the order after a Texas Tribune investigation which found that a state agency had directed at least $30 million into building a surveillance network.

SCOPE AND LIMIT: the prohibition reaches state-level spending. Local agencies remain free to acquire and operate the same systems using city, county, federal or private funds. It is a funding restriction on one level of government, not a ban on the technology.

This entry also records the Electronic Frontier Foundation's analysis treating the Texas and Florida actions as a single trend. EFF's own stated policy position — that ALPR mass surveillance should not exist — is advocacy and is distinguished in its piece from the documented government actions. It is recorded here as the organisation's position, not adopted.

Filed as commentary because the underlying Texas order was not obtained for this archive. If the order text is retrieved it should be added as a primary record.