DeSantis Calls for Overhaul of Automated License Plate Reader Cameras

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday called for a legislative overhaul of automated license plate reader cameras, warning the technology has become "out of control" and risks creating a "surveillance state." Speaking at Florida International University in Miami, the Republican governor said he supports using such tools to fight crime but drew a firm line against tracking the movements of ordinary citizens without adequate safeguards. DeSantis's remarks place him within a growing bipartisan coalition expressing concern over the rapid expansion of Flock Safety's AI-powered camera network. He pointed to an alleged instance of a police officer misusing the system to track an ex-girlfriend as an example of the potential for abuse. "I'm all about having law enforcement have tools to be able to hold criminals accountable," DeSantis said. "But I don't want to have this become a surveillance state." The governor's call for action comes as Flock Safety operates more than 120,000 automated readers across roughly 5,000 agencies nationwide. In Florida, at least 100 law enforcement agencies operate nearly 7,500 of the cameras.