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As backlash grows over Flock\u2019s AI surveillance cameras, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has frozen state spending<\/a> on them. The move came just ahead of the publication of a Texas Tribune<\/em> investigation<\/a> that revealed the state spent over $30 million on Flock cameras. That money was primarily raised by tacking a $1 fee onto insurance policies, allegedly to help fight catalytic converter theft.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In recent months, cities around the country have been canceling their contracts with Flock, including many in Texas. Abbott\u2019s Democratic opponent in the race for governor, Gina Hinojosa, has criticized him<\/a> for expanding use of the cameras in the state. And Republican representative Keith Self recently posted on Instagram<\/a> that, \u201cFrom Flock cameras to kill switches, we will NOT surrender our Fourth Amendment rights to the growing surveillance state.\u201d Cheering on the destruction of Flock cameras<\/a> has even become a unifying pastime on the internet.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris<\/p>\n<\/div>\n