Many Central Texas cities and police departments have stopped using Flock Safety license plate reader cameras this summer, but some agencies and private entities continue to operate them. KUT reported on September 8, 2026, that this comes amid a broader "crackdown" on the technology, as described by Gov. Greg Abbott, who paused state funding for new Flock cameras.
Which Central Texas agencies still use Flock cameras?
Drivers in Central Texas may still encounter Flock cameras in various locations. According to KUT's report, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains a network of cameras on state-owned roadways in Austin and shares this data with over 200 law enforcement agencies across Texas. DPS also shares some Flock data with the Austin Police Department (APD) for joint investigations, even though Austin ended its direct contract with Flock last year.
Several local police departments continue to use Flock cameras:
- Hutto Police Department
- Bastrop County Sheriff's Office
- Taylor Police Department
- Kyle Police Department
- Buda Police Department
- Lakeway Police Department
- Cedar Park Police Department
- Round Rock Police Department
Round Rock Police Department has the largest local footprint, with 43 cameras that scanned over 676,000 vehicles in the past month. The department shared data with 1,453 agencies, more than half of which are outside Texas. Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks stated he has no plans to stop using the cameras unless directed by the City Council.
Private entities also use these cameras. Malls like Barton Creek Square and The Domain, various HOAs, and big-box stores such as Home Depot and Academy have installed them. Drivers should be aware that their license plates may be scanned in these private locations as well. You can check our /map for reported camera locations.
What are the implications of data sharing?
The extensive data sharing practices of some departments raise questions for drivers about who has access to their travel information. For example, Round Rock's data sharing with over a thousand agencies, many without formal written agreements, means your vehicle's movements could be accessible to law enforcement far beyond Central Texas.
This broad sharing was a factor in Pflugerville's decision to end its Flock contract. Before canceling, Pflugerville police discovered they had shared data with over 400 agencies, but only 83 had formal agreements. This highlights a lack of control over where your license plate data might end up once collected.
If you are concerned about how your data is being shared, you might ask your local police department:
- What is the retention policy for license plate data?
- With which agencies do you share Flock camera data?
- Are there written agreements in place for all data-sharing partnerships?
Manor Police Chief Ryan Phipps recently ended his department's Flock program, citing community concerns and the burden of defending the company's actions. Elgin Police Chief Chris Noble also paused his department's use of cameras, noting public mistrust outweighed the technology's benefits. These decisions reflect growing community sentiment about surveillance technology.
State lawmakers are expected to consider statewide regulations for license plate readers next year, which could bring more clarity and consistent guidelines for how these cameras are used and how data is shared across Texas.