DeSantis Orders Flock License Plate Cameras Removed From Florida State Highways
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is ordering automated license plate reader cameras removed from state highways, citing mounting concerns about privacy, surveillance and the potential misuse of drivers’ data.
The Florida Department of Transportation announced Monday that existing permits for license plate recognition systems located within state highway rights-of-way are being revoked.
Law enforcement agencies with cameras installed along the state highway system will have 30 days to remove them. The order includes major interstates such as I-10 and I-75.
If local agencies fail to remove the cameras before the deadline, FDOT says the state will take them down itself.
Florida is also shutting the door on future installations. FDOT said it will stop issuing new permits for license plate reader systems within areas under the department’s jurisdiction.
The cameras, commonly associated with Flock Safety, automatically scan license plates as vehicles travel along roadways. Law enforcement agencies can then search the collected information while investigating crimes, locating stolen vehicles or attempting to find wanted suspects.
DeSantis acknowledged that the technology can be valuable for legitimate law enforcement purposes but said the potential for widespread surveillance and abuse has become too significant to ignore.
The governor specifically raised concerns about private companies collecting large amounts of information showing where individual vehicles have traveled. He warned that such information could potentially be used to create detailed records of people’s movements.
DeSantis also pointed to an incident involving a Florida law enforcement officer accused of improperly accessing license plate reader information to track a former girlfriend.
While describing himself as a strong supporter of law enforcement, DeSantis argued that investigative technology should be focused on criminals rather than creating a system capable of routinely tracking law-abiding residents.
The governor warned that widespread license plate readers could eventually contribute to what he described as a “digital AI surveillance state” in which people’s movements are constantly recorded.
Several Florida law enforcement agencies responded to the state’s decision by announcing changes to their own programs. Sheriff’s departments in Franklin, Liberty and Putnam counties were among those moving to end their license plate reader programs.
Other agencies have gone even further. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters announced that his department would discontinue license plate reader technology throughout Duval County, despite acknowledging that the cameras had previously helped investigators solve serious crimes and locate missing people.
The state directive applies specifically to cameras installed within state highway rights-of-way. Cameras located on city or county roads are not automatically covered, meaning local governments can potentially continue operating them.
Privately owned license plate readers located on commercial properties or within private developments are also not covered by the state highway removal order.
DeSantis is now calling on Florida lawmakers to establish stronger statewide rules governing the technology when the Legislature returns next year. He has argued that permanent protections are needed because the current administrative action could eventually be reversed by a future governor.
The move represents a significant shift in Florida’s approach to automated surveillance technology. DeSantis says law enforcement should have powerful tools to catch criminals — but not at the cost of creating a system capable of tracking the everyday movements of millions of Floridians.