DeSantis bans Flock cameras on state roads in Florida

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, responding to a growing backlash over Flock cameras, has ordered the pole-mounted license plate readers to be removed from all state roads. The Florida Department of Transportation revoked all permits Monday for license plate readers, most of them owned and operated by Atlanta-based Flock Safety, from the right-of-way of state roads. State officials said the devices must be removed within 30 days. The move came less than a week after Mr. DeSantis echoed the concerns of Florida residents who complained the cameras, powered by artificial intelligence, go too far in monitoring the public and are being used in some cases for nefarious reasons by rogue police officers and others. “I’m all about law enforcement having the tools to be able to hold criminals accountable,” Mr. DeSantis said last week during a press conference at Florida International University. “But I don’t want to have this become a surveillance state.” Mr. DeSantis called for a legislative overhaul of the law governing the use of the cameras, which number in the thousands in Florida. “I think these cameras, these license plate readers, I think it’s out of control,” he said. The move in Florida came a day after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott banned the use of state funds to help local law enforcement lease the Flock cameras. In Florida, local law enforcement said they would comply with the order, even though the cameras help them fight crime. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office announced Monday evening it would remove the Flock cameras installed by law enforcement throughout the city, not just from state roads. “Given the decision made at the state level and the concerns expressed by members of our community, I have determined that discontinuing the use of this technology is the appropriate course of action at this time,” Sheriff T.K. Waters said. In Nassau County, located in Northeast Florida, the state directive will result in the removal of 34 cameras now perched on state roads and used by law enforcement. Some locals celebrated the move, calling it a win for liberty and freedom. Others said it would make crimes harder to solve. “Now when some of your stuff is stolen or you’re missing a loved one and you’re mad that the police can’t solve it in a timely manner, I want you all to remember this … it’s going to come with pros and cons,” one area resident posted in a social media discussion about the move. Florida joins dozens of local jurisdictions that are either reviewing the use of the cameras or cancelling contracts with Flock amid growing public backlash over the surveillance. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, between 80,000 and 100,000 Flock cameras installed across the U.S. perform more than 20 billion scans monthly. They can be spotted on highways, at intersections, in neighborhoods and apartment complexes, and in the parking lots of businesses such as Lowe’s and Walmart. Law enforcement agencies say the data is critical in helping solve property crimes, locate stolen vehicles and track down missing people. The data is also used in court to successfully prosecute criminals. Walmart uses Flock Safety systems in its parking lots “to ensure safety, theft prevention and fraud reduction,” company officials said. Flock Safety officials said their technology is used in more than 4,000 communities across the country and has helped solve crimes and improve safety. Cameras on private property are not affected by Florida’s order. Flock officials said their license plate readers don’t track anything. They take point-in-time images of the rear of vehicles on public roadways and are designed to capture vehicle-related evidence, not personal identity. Data is deleted after 30 days by default unless a customer requires a longer retention period. Access is also auditable, and every search requires a justification, officials said. Abuses of the surveillance data have been gaining publicity. In once recent example, Haines City, Florida, police officer Christopher Goodson was arrested after investigators say he searched Flock data for his estranged wife’s vehicle more than 700 times between September 2024 and June 2026.