Florida Orders Removal of Flock Cameras and License Plate Readers from State Highways

PUBLISHED Aug 31, 2026, 10:23 PM ET

The Florida Department of Transportation ordered local law enforcement agencies to remove automated license plate reader cameras from all state roads within thirty days. Issued via memorandum by assistant secretary Will Watts, the directive cites mounting concerns regarding data privacy, potential surveillance overreach, and unauthorized commercial data harvesting. Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the rapid proliferation of tracking infrastructure, warning that private entities could commercialize comprehensive motorist movement logs. At least one hundred law enforcement agencies across Florida currently operate thousands of these monitoring devices. Several local departments, including Jacksonville and Putnam County, announced immediate compliance and contract terminations. While private property installations remain unaffected, the sweeping state level policy shift highlights growing national tensions over digital privacy, government oversight, and automated public surveillance. Law enforcement officials emphasize public safety commitments, while civil liberties advocates praise the regulatory intervention against mass tracking systems across local roadways throughout all affected Florida communities.

By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 31
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 2
Neutral:: 28

Explain Framing

Left: Emphasize civil liberties protection while questioning government surveillance overreach publicly. Center: Focus strictly on regulatory directives, agency mandates, and compliance deadlines. Right: Highlight executive leadership against overreaching bureaucracy and data privacy threats.