The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has officially suspended the issuance of new permits for Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) systems. The decision comes as the technology faces increased scrutiny regarding how it handles data privacy and the security of the information collected from motorists on state-owned roadways.

In a statement provided to NewsNation, a TxDOT spokesperson clarified the agency's limited scope in the matter, noting that their primary responsibility is to ensure that the hardware is installed in a manner that is both safe and structurally sound. The spokesperson emphasized that the agency’s role is restricted to permitting and does not extend to the oversight of the data collected by the cameras themselves.

Flock Safety, a company that provides camera systems to law enforcement and private entities, has not yet issued a comprehensive public response to the suspension. While the state has not provided a specific timeline for when these approvals might resume, the move signals a growing tension between the deployment of surveillance technology on public infrastructure and the public's expectation of privacy. The suspension effectively freezes new installations on state-managed roads while the agency evaluates the broader implications of the technology.