What You Need to Know
• Florida Department of Transportation revoked local police’s ability to install license plate readers on state highways.
• Chief Operating Officer Will Watts cited concerns over misuse and data privacy as reasons for the decision.
• More than 100 local governments have canceled or not renewed license plate reader contracts since last year.
Florida Department of Transportation Chief Operating Officer Will Watts announced on Monday that local police can no longer install license plate readers (LPRs) on state highways. This decision follows a nationwide backlash against surveillance technology, particularly regarding companies like Flock Safety. Watts’ memo highlighted a significant increase in the deployment of law enforcement cameras and raised concerns about potential misuse and privacy violations. The move aligns with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s recent remarks about the need to limit surveillance, stating that existing cameras may collect more information than disclosed. The order does not affect cameras on private property or local rights-of-way, which account for 98% of such installations.
Why It Matters
This decision is part of a broader trend across the United States, where concerns about surveillance technology have prompted legislative and administrative actions. Florida’s move reflects growing apprehension about privacy and data security, particularly with the rise of automatic license plate readers. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott also halted state funding for Flock cameras, indicating a shift in public policy regarding surveillance. The Institute for Justice reports that over 100 local governments have either canceled or not renewed their LPR contracts since last year, illustrating a significant reevaluation of surveillance practices at the local level.
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