Citizens who prefer to remain off the radar might want to avoid Dallas, Texas. While the state itself preaches freedom and independence from government overreach, the city has embraced AI-powered traffic cameras that take pictures and video of countless cars and citizens every day.
Dallas police now have access to more than 600 license-plate reading cameras mounted around the city. In May, the City Council approved a three-year, $5.7 million contract with Flock Safety, funded through a mix of city money and state and federal grants.
Roads are becoming increasingly watched, analyzed, and archived. Whether that means safer streets or a step too far remains an open and increasingly heated question.