DeSantis Targets ‘Digital Surveillance State,’ Orders Removal of Highway License Plate Readers
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has launched a bold offensive against the proliferation of high-tech monitoring tools on state roadways, ordering local law enforcement to remove automated license plate readers (ALPRs) from all state highway rights-of-way. The move marks a significant victory for privacy advocates and deals a heavy blow to private surveillance companies like Flock Safety.
In a sweeping directive issued Monday, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) revoked existing permits for these devices, granting local agencies a 30-day window to dismantle the hardware. The crackdown follows growing concerns regarding data privacy, potential misuse by authorities, and the unchecked expansion of what the governor describes as a “digital AI surveillance state.”
A Stand Against ‘Digital Prisons’
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Governor DeSantis emphasized that personal travel should remain private.
“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?” DeSantis said. “What we don’t want in the state of Florida is to have a digital AI surveillance state where everything we’re doing is being tracked at all times.”
The governor acknowledged that the technology has been utilized for legitimate law enforcement purposes, such as locating stolen vehicles or suspects. However, he warned that the benefits do not outweigh the systemic risks of data monetization and unauthorized tracking.
“They claim that the companies aren’t going to misuse it, but no one’s watching that,” DeSantis added. “I know you can make some money selling cameras, but you really can make a lot of money if you can sell people’s data.”
He cited specific instances of abuse, including reports of officers using the data to track personal acquaintances, and confirmed he is calling for new legislation to implement strict penalties for such misconduct.
The Debate Over Public Safety
The directive comes as automated license plate readers, which utilize solar-powered cameras to capture and store vehicle movements in searchable databases, have become increasingly common nationwide. The ACLU estimates that approximately 120,000 Flock-branded cameras are currently operational across the U.S.
Industry leaders, however, argue that the ban could hinder critical investigations. In a statement, a spokesperson for Flock Safety defended the technology, noting that it has been instrumental in finding missing children and apprehending violent criminals in recent weeks.
“Rather than banning a critical public safety tool,” the spokesperson said, “we support thoughtful legislation and strong privacy, transparency and accountability guardrails that ensure technology is used responsibly while preserving law enforcement’s ability to use effective tools to keep people safe.”
A Growing National Trend
Florida’s move reflects a broader skepticism emerging across the United States regarding private surveillance infrastructure. Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently moved to halt state funding for Flock cameras, and various municipalities have begun opting out of, or failing to renew, contracts with private camera vendors.
As public pushback intensifies—manifesting in everything from proposed class-action lawsuits to incidents of camera vandalism—the debate in Florida highlights a deepening divide over how much surveillance is acceptable in the name of public safety.
With the 30-day clock now ticking for Florida law enforcement to comply with the FDOT directive, the state is poised to become the most prominent testing ground for the limits of digital oversight in the U.S.
