Florida Orders Removal of License Plate Readers Over Privacy

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) revoked all permits for automated license plate recognition (LPR) systems on state highways on August 31, 2026. Under Engineering and Operations Memorandum No. 26-01, law enforcement agencies must remove these devices from state rights-of-way within 30 days or face state-led removal. FDOT announced it will no longer approve future LPR permits, citing an exponential increase in deployments and reports of data misuse.

Ron DeSantis ordered the action, warning during a Jacksonville press conference that Florida must not become a "digital surveillance state." He expressed concern that private companies could profit by selling movement dossiers and cited an instance where an officer used the technology to track an ex-girlfriend as evidence that current penalties for misuse are too weak. DeSantis advocated for an AI bill of rights to govern personal data collection, noting that while the Florida Senate approved such legislation, the Florida House has not yet acted.

Numerous agencies have vowed to comply, with some expanding the removals beyond state roads. The Jacksonville, Clay, Alachua, and Nassau County Sheriff's Offices ordered removals, while Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey announced the shutdown of their programs entirely. Flock Safety defended its technology as a critical public safety tool for solving serious crimes and finding missing persons, advocating for legislative guardrails rather than a ban. Additionally, reports emerged that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has used the cameras to identify non-citizens for street arrests.