A Texas Deputy Searched 83,000 Flock Cameras To Track Down a Woman Who Had an Abortion

Key Points:

• On May 9, 2025, a Texas deputy used Flock Safety’s nationwide license plate reader network to search for a woman suspected of self-administering an abortion, querying 83,000 cameras across 6,809 law enforcement networks without a warrant.
• Flock Safety’s reciprocal sharing model allows over 75% of its 5,000+ participating law enforcement agencies to access a national pool of license plate data, enabling cross-state surveillance without local knowledge or warrants.
• The system stores detailed data including license plate numbers, timestamps, locations, and travel directions in a central cloud, facilitating widespread tracking that has raised privacy and civil liberties concerns.
• Officials initially framed the search as a welfare check for a missing person, but documents reveal deputies discussed criminal charges, contradicting official claims and raising fears about surveillance targeting reproductive care seekers.
• Lawmakers have demanded answers from Flock Safety’s CEO regarding warrant requirements and data safeguards, highlighting the absence of comprehensive federal regulation over this expansive surveillance network.