(Texas Tribune) - Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered all state agencies to pause funding for Flock cameras as scrutiny over the AI-powered surveillance devices has mounted.

The order came as The Texas Tribune was preparing to publish an investigation detailing how a state agency has devoted at least $30 million to building up the state's Flock surveillance network by providing grants to local police departments.

Abbott gave the order Thursday night to halt state funding for Flock cameras, his spokesman confirmed Friday."To the extent that cities get any funding for those cameras, most of it comes from the federal government. To the extent any funding comes from Texas agencies, those agencies are clarifying that those funds cannot be used for Flock cameras," Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris said in a statement shared first with the Tribune.