Jacob Rockwell, a resident of the Pensacola area, appeared on ‘The Sunday Briefing’ to voice his worries about red-light camera surveillance and to question liability for camera tickets after disputing a citation from another state.
In Florida, drivers might soon encounter fewer high-tech monitoring devices on their commutes, as state officials have instructed local police to remove automated license plate readers from state roads. This move poses a challenge to private surveillance companies like Flock Safety, in light of concerns raised by Governor Ron DeSantis regarding the potential expansion of a “digital AI surveillance state.”
DeSantis stated during a news conference, “If you want to drive to Buc-ee’s in St. Augustine, that’s really none of the government’s business, right? We don’t want Florida to turn into a place where everything we do is constantly tracked.”
He acknowledged that while there are situations where such data might be useful, it raises questions about its ultimate destination. “They assert that the companies won’t misuse the data, but who’s keeping an eye on that? Sure, there’s a profit in selling cameras, but the real money could be in selling people’s data.”
These remarks from DeSantis followed a memo released by the Florida Department of Transportation, declaring the revocation of existing permits for automated license plate readers on state highway rights-of-way. Local law enforcement agencies have been given 30 days to remove the devices.
FDOT explained that this decision was influenced by the rapid proliferation of these cameras, alongside reports of their misuse and growing concerns over data privacy and surveillance tactics. These readers document vehicle sightings and facilitate searchable databases, which, when shared among agencies, can link information across different areas.
Automated license plate readers (ALPRs), typically small solar-powered units affixed to structures or police vehicles, are capable of capturing data as vehicles pass by. Flock Safety, a major player in this field, has quickly grown its operations with law enforcement, municipalities, and businesses.
The ACLU estimates that around 120,000 Flock cameras are currently in use throughout the country.
“Every sheriff in Florida can likely cite effective uses of these systems, and that’s undeniable,” DeSantis commented. “But we also need to consider the potential for misuse.”
He recalled an instance where an officer in Florida used LPR data to track an ex-girlfriend, highlighting a lack of strong penalties for such misbehavior. “I’ve pushed for legislation aimed at protecting Floridians from a potential digital surveillance state where someone’s constantly monitoring your every move,” he added.
In response to Fox News Digital, a representative from Flock defended the technology, stating, “Flock’s systems are crucial for public safety and assist law enforcement in tackling serious crimes, locating missing individuals, recovering stolen vehicles, and fostering safer communities. Recently in Florida, our technology has helped find missing children and contributed to the arrest of a murder suspect, among other cases.”
The representative further argued, “Instead of banning a vital public safety resource, we advocate for sensible laws alongside strong privacy and transparency measures to ensure responsible use without compromising law enforcement’s capacity to keep communities safe.”
DeSantis’ office did not provide immediate comments on the matter.
This directive aligns with a growing trend of pushback against similar surveillance initiatives nationwide. Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently discontinued state funding for Flock cameras, while various U.S. municipalities have either halted or opted not to renew contracts with the company.
There has been increasing public opposition, resulting in class-action lawsuits and reports of camera vandalism in numerous states across the U.S.
