Florida Bans License Plate Readers Over Privacy Fears
FDOT said 30-day removals are required after citing rapid growth, misuse reports and privacy concerns over automated license plate readers.
- On August 31, FDOT Chief Operating Officer Will Watts signed a memo revoking all automated license plate reader permits on state highway rights-of-way, mandating local agencies remove devices within 30 days or face state removal.
- Governor Ron DeSantis accelerated the crackdown after labeling the technology "out of control" and warning of a "digital AI surveillance state," citing exponential deployment growth and reports of misuse.
- Sheriffs in Putnam, Duval, and Pasco counties announced immediate removals following the directive, with several choosing to dismantle entire local programs to restore community trust.
- DeSantis is now pushing the Florida Legislature to pass an "AI Bill of Rights" during the upcoming session, aiming to establish permanent criminal penalties for data misuse and regulate surveillance.
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott similarly halted state funding for the technology last week, signaling a broader bipartisan pivot against unregulated mass surveillance across the United States.
194 Articles
194 Articles
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
WTVBFlorida bans highway license-plate readers as backlash over surveillance spreads
NEW YORK — Florida has banned local police from placing cameras that read license plates on its state highways in response to growing divisions over law enforcement’s use of technology supplied by Flock Safety and others to track vehicles in many parts of the U.S.
Pinellas sheriff pushes back on license plate reader concerns - Regional Media News
(The Center Square) - Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says automated license plate readers have helped reduce crime by over 64% over the last ten years. His comments come in the aftermath of the Florida Department of Transportation this week revoking general use permits for [...]
Flock is cancelled—and their competitors are profiting
“If you want to get in your car and you want to go down to Buc-ee’s in St. Augustine, it’s really none of the government’s damn business if you’re doing that, right?” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday at a news conference. He announced that Florida will revoke all law enforcement license-plate-recognition camera permits on […]
Florida orders removal of Flock cameras from highways - LewRockwell
—– Writes Calvin Freiburger: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is removing controversial Flock cameras and other license plate readers from state highways, following growing concerns about the privacy implications of the technology. Continue reading on Lifesite News The post Florida orders removal of Flock cameras from highways appeared first on LewRockwell.
DeSantis ORDERS Flock Cameras Torn Off Florida Highways
Florida just put the surveillance grid on a clock. At the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida Department of Transportation has revoked every permit for Flock cameras and other automated license plate readers sitting in state highway rights-of-way. Local agencies have 30 days to pull them. Miss the deadline, and state crews will tear the poles down themselves. NEWS: At the direction of Gov. Ron DeSantis, FDOT just REVOKED every permit f…
Florida joins Texas in ordering removal of Flock license plate cameras
Flock Safety cameras removed from Florida highways after misconduct and privacy violations. DeSantis blasts the tracking technology as government overreach into private life. Texas also bans state funding of Flock after officer indicted for unauthorized database searches. Misuse of the system by law enforcement documented in multiple states beyond Texas and Florida. Flock caught reinstalling cameras after local contracts terminated, raising …
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