Florida Governor DeSantis Orders Removal of Flock Safety ALPR Cameras from State Highways Amid Privacy and Misuse Concerns

On August 31, 2026, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) issued a memo revoking all permits for automated license plate readers (ALPRs), including those from Flock Safety, installed on state highway rights-of-way such as interstates I-10 and I-75. Local law enforcement agencies were given 30 days to remove the cameras; FDOT will handle removal if they fail to comply and will cease issuing future permits. The memo explicitly cites the 'recent exponential increase in deployments along our roadways, coupled with concerning reports of misuse, data privacy concerns, and surveillance schemes' as justification for preserving Floridians’ sovereignty and quality of life.[1][2]

Governor Ron DeSantis, who has previously supported law enforcement tools, publicly backed the action during a Jacksonville press conference, warning against turning Florida into a 'digital AI surveillance state where everything we’re doing is being tracked at all times.' He highlighted documented cases of misuse, including a Brevard County deputy who allegedly used Flock data to stalk an ex-girlfriend, and broader risks of private companies or officers abusing access. DeSantis called on the Florida Legislature to enact permanent regulations and advocated for an 'AI Bill of Rights' with strict penalties for data misuse.[2][3]

The order applies only to state-owned roads and does not automatically affect cameras on local city/county roads or private property, where the majority of deployments reportedly exist. Several sheriff’s offices, including in Leon, Putnam, Liberty, Franklin, Volusia, Clay, and Duval counties, announced suspensions or compliance with the directive shortly after. Proponents note ALPRs have aided in solving crimes like stolen vehicles and missing persons cases, but critics, including privacy advocates, point to nationwide patterns of abuse, data sharing across jurisdictions, and potential for mass tracking beyond license plates.[4][5]

This move positions Florida as an early state-level actor pushing back against Flock Safety’s expanding network, amid parallel actions such as Texas restricting funding for similar systems. It reflects growing bipartisan scrutiny over surveillance technology, data retention, and Fourth Amendment implications, with calls for warrants and legislative guardrails intensifying. DeSantis’s stance aligns with his emphasis on limiting government overreach while maintaining support for targeted law enforcement capabilities.