Florida orders removal of license-plate reader cameras from state highways within a month

The Florida Department of Transportation issued a memorandum directing local law-enforcement agencies to dismantle automated license-plate reader (ALPR) systems installed on state highway rights of way within 30 days. The agency said it will remove any devices that remain after the deadline and will no longer approve new installations on state roads.

Officials cited a rapid increase in deployments, concerns about data privacy, and reports of misuse as reasons for the action. Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed worries that the technology could lead Florida toward a "surveillance state" and urged the legislature to consider an artificial-intelligence bill of rights.

Law-enforcement representatives noted that ALPRs have helped solve investigations, citing cases in Titusville and Marion County where the cameras aided in locating suspects and a missing child. However, several Florida officers have faced criminal charges for allegedly using the databases for personal reasons, prompting privacy advocates to call for stricter oversight.

Flock Safety, a major provider of ALPR technology, responded by announcing new safeguards, including a mandatory audit system that flags repeated or off-duty searches, automatic lockouts for flagged users, and a reduced data-retention period from 30 days to seven days. The company said these measures aim to prevent misuse while preserving the tools' investigative value.

The debate over balancing public-safety benefits with privacy protections is expected to continue in the state legislature.