Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed strong concerns over the automated license plate readers developed by Flock Safety, labeling the technology as "out of control." He urged state legislators to enact regulations that safeguard the privacy of Floridians.
DeSantis made these remarks during a press conference at Florida International University in Miami, addressing the issue spontaneously at an event originally intended for a different topic.
"These cameras, the license plate readers, I believe they are beyond control," stated the governor, distinguishing these devices from traditional toll collection readers. He noted that Flock cameras are used for surveillance and criminal investigations.
While DeSantis emphasized his support for law enforcement technology, he drew a firm line between pursuing criminals and monitoring average citizens. "I am fully supportive of law enforcement having tools to hold criminals accountable. But I don't want this to turn into a surveillance state," he declared.
He also highlighted specific instances of misuse: "When I see a police officer using this to track, say, an ex-girlfriend, I think: what the heck is going on with this?" Reports from this year revealed an Orange City officer tracked his ex-girlfriend's license plate 69 times over several months, while another officer in Haines City checked his ex-wife's vehicle 717 times over more than two years, fabricating investigative justifications.
DeSantis linked the issue to his unsuccessful "Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights," a regulatory package passed by the state Senate in March with a 35-to-2 vote, but which the House of Representatives refused to address. The governor criticized the House for inaction, asserting that the measure would have prevented the scenario he now condemns.
As a role model, he pointed to New Hampshire's legislation, which mandates the deletion of data captured by license plate readers within three minutes unless linked to an arrest, citation, or missing person case.
However, DeSantis's stance conflicts with decisions made by his administration. According to reports from El Nuevo Herald, DeSantis and his cabinet approved approximately $2.5 million in state grants last year—from immigration funds—for six local law enforcement agencies to acquire Flock cameras or consolidate their data. Additionally, the Florida Highway Patrol utilized this network over 250 times between March and May 2025 for immigration control operations.
DeSantis's position also diverges from that of President Donald Trump, who issued an executive order limiting states' ability to restrict artificial intelligence, favoring a broader federal regulatory approach in line with his partnership with major tech companies.
The governor acknowledged that any real change must go through the state Legislature and urged voters to directly pressure their representatives. "The only way this can be addressed is legislatively. You're going to need the Legislature to provide protections for the people," he asserted.
As DeSantis enters his final year as Florida's governor after concluding his last legislative session, he did not propose a specific plan but made his stance clear: "I don't want to be in a situation where these tech companies, a handful of companies, know everything about you and know where you go. I think this is going to get a lot worse unless we have some protections for the people of Florida."
Understanding Flock Cameras and Privacy Concerns
What are Flock Safety cameras used for?
Flock Safety cameras are used for automated license plate reading, typically employed for surveillance and criminal investigations.
Why is Governor DeSantis concerned about these cameras?
Governor DeSantis is concerned that the widespread use of Flock cameras could lead to a surveillance state, potentially infringing on the privacy of ordinary citizens.
What legislative action does DeSantis propose?
DeSantis calls for state legislators to create regulations that protect the privacy of Floridians, although he has not put forward a specific proposal yet.