Texas Councilmember Proposes Total Internet and Phone Ban
Original: After Town Bans Flock, Councilmember Crashes Out, Proposes Internet and Phone Ban / A Texas councilmember will propose “a total ban on all cellular and GPS-capable devices for all operations within city limits" and “a total termination of all internet services."
Why This Matters
Highlights extreme local government reaction to surveillance technology rejection
After Bandera, Texas voted 3-2 to end its Flock surveillance camera contract, dissenting councilmember Jeff Flowers announced he will propose banning all cellular devices, GPS, internet services, and cameras within city limits in protest.
The tiny town of Bandera, Texas (population 900) voted to terminate its contract with surveillance company Flock Safety after months of resident opposition to AI license plate reader cameras. Eight cameras were installed using a state grant, but faced repeated vandalism from protesters. Councilmember Jeff Flowers, who supported the surveillance technology, responded by announcing the 'Bandera Declaration of Digital Independence' - proposals to ban all cellular and GPS devices, outward-facing cameras, internet services, and electronic record-keeping within city limits. Flowers called privacy advocates hypocrites and said the town should 'go back to 1880, paper ledgers and cash only' if residents truly wanted privacy.