Florida has given local law enforcement agencies 30 days to remove all automated license plate reader cameras from state highways, with Governor Ron DeSantis declaring he will not allow Florida to become a surveillance state.

Immediate Removal Mandated Across State

The Florida Department of Transportation issued a memorandum Monday revoking all existing approvals for automated license plate recognition systems installed by local agencies along State Highway System roads. The department cited an exponential increase in deployments and growing concerns about misuse, data privacy, and surveillance as reasons for the immediate action. Any cameras remaining after the 30-day deadline will be physically removed by FDOT, and the department will reject all future installation requests within state highway rights of way.

Flock Safety operates one of the nation’s largest license plate reader networks, though multiple companies provide similar technology. The cameras photograph passing vehicles and collect license plate numbers and vehicle details, creating searchable databases that law enforcement uses to locate suspects, stolen vehicles, and missing people. Florida agencies have repeatedly credited the technology with solving criminal cases.

Privacy Violations Spark Crackdown

The order follows several disturbing cases of Florida officers exploiting the camera databases for personal purposes. A Haines City officer faced arrest after allegedly searching Flock data for his estranged wife’s vehicle more than 700 times between September 2024 and June 2026. A former Sumter County detective was fired and charged after investigators found she used Flock and other databases to gather information about her husband’s former wife. Multiple other Florida officers stand accused of tracking former romantic partners through the system.

Privacy advocates warn these known cases likely represent only a fraction of improper searches, as many instances of misuse may never surface. DeSantis acknowledged public concern, stating the issue requires legislative action and calling for an artificial intelligence bill of rights. Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried criticized Republican leaders for allowing the technology to spread without adequate safeguards.

Company Announces New Protections

Flock founder and CEO Garrett Langley has pushed back against outright bans, arguing for stronger safeguards instead. The company announced its Audit Assistance system will become mandatory for all law enforcement customers, automatically flagging suspicious activity like repeated searches for the same plate or searches conducted while officers are off duty. Users flagged for potential misuse will be locked out pending review. By year’s end, most searches will require case codes tying them to active investigations, though emergency searches can bypass this requirement. Flock is also reducing its default data retention period from 30 days to seven days, though agencies can opt for longer storage.