DeSantis calls flock camera surveillance ‘out of control,’ urges legislative action
DeSantis said 7,169 cameras in Florida need legislative limits as he warned the technology is being used for criminal surveillance.
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized Flock license plate reader cameras as "out of control" during a Wednesday event at Florida International University, calling for stricter oversight of the surveillance technology.
- Initially deployed for tolling at service plazas and toll roads, license plate readers have evolved into criminal surveillance tools. The DeFlock website reports 7,169 such cameras operating across Florida.
- DeSantis acknowledged law enforcement needs tools to hold criminals accountable but expressed alarm over misuse, citing instances where officers tracked individuals without legitimate purpose. "I don't want to have this become a surveillance state," he said.
- Warning that conditions will worsen without protections, DeSantis stated only the Legislature can provide necessary safeguards, referencing his failed push for an Artificial Intelligence Bill and Rights during the 2026 session.
- DeSantis is reviewing New Hampshire law as a potential regulatory model, noting the state limits license plate reader placement on public rights-of-way. He views this framework as a possible starting point for Florida protections.
16 Articles
16 Articles
DeSantis says license plate readers are getting 'out of control,' calls for protections for Floridians
DeSantis acknowledged that Flock could help local law enforcement agencies solve crimes. However, he said he doesn't want Florida to become a "surveillance state."
Amid growing Flock backlash, DeSantis says only police officers should issue tickets
Amid the growing public and political backlash against Flock cameras, add Gov. Ron DeSantis to the list of skeptics about their use. The governor said Wednesday that roadside cameras that use artificial intelligence to photograph and log vehicle data are useful tools for law enforcement agencies and that the Florida Highway Patrol uses automated license […] The post Amid growing Flock backlash, DeSantis says only police officers should issue tic…
DeSantis warns in Miami against Flock cameras’ ‘surveillance state’ potential
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday became the latest politician in a swelling bipartisan movement to demand an overhaul of how and where AI-powered Flock cameras can be used, calling on Floridians to pressure lawmakers to regulate the tools. “I don’t…
DeSantis calls flock camera surveillance ‘out of control,’ urges legislative action
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is raising red flags about the widespread use of Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers across the state, saying the technology has expanded far beyond its original purpose and needs legislative guardrails.
Sun-Sentinel
Orlando SentinelDeSantis calls Flock license plate cameras ‘out of control,’ urges overhaul
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling for changes to the growing use of Flock license plate reader cameras, saying the technology has gone too far and could threaten Floridians’ privacy.
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