Source: NBC News
“Florida’s state transportation office on Monday revoked the ability of local police to put license plate readers on state highways, as a nationwide backlash continued to gain steam against Flock Safety and other makers of surveillance cameras. Will Watts, the chief operating officer of the Florida Department of Transportation, informed local law enforcement agencies in a one-page memo that the department was revoking all previously issued approvals for license plate readers (LPRs) in state ‘rights-of-way,’ or the strip of land that’s next to or part of a state road. Watts cited a ‘recent exponential increase’ in deployments of law enforcement cameras, as well as ‘concerning reports of misuse, data privacy concerns, and surveillance schemes’ that he said merit immediate action ‘to preserve Floridians’ sovereignty and quality of life.'” (08/31/26)