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Ron DeSantis Orders Removal of License Plate Reader Cameras from Florida State Highways

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order requiring the removal of automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras from the state highway system within 30 days. The Florida Department of Transportation announced the revocation of all previously issued permits for these cameras when located within state highway rights-of-way, citing concerns over surveillance schemes, data privacy, and frequent misuse. While the order specifically targets cameras on state-owned land, it does not affect ALPR technology on private property or local roads. Several local law enforcement agencies have already begun complying with the directive. Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil suspended his agency's use of the technology until oversight measures are established, and Alachua County Sheriff Chad Scott confirmed his office will remove 27 devices that meet the criteria. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office also announced it would discontinue the use of the technology throughout its jurisdiction. The administration noted that the order is a property-line technicality rather than a total ban on the technology. The Florida Department of Transportation stated it will no longer approve new installations on state highways. The company Flock Safety, which popularized the technology, argued that the cameras are a critical public safety tool and suggested that the state should implement privacy and accountability guardrails instead of a total ban.

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