Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, September 1, 2026 — In Florida, multiple county sheriffs’ offices are ceasing the use of Flock-style automated license plate readers (ALPRs) across their jurisdictions. This widespread discontinuation follows statements from Governor Ron DeSantis opposing what he has termed a “surveillance state,” alongside increasing public and official apprehension regarding data privacy and the potential for misuse of ALPR technology.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has played a role in this shift by revoking permits necessary for the operation of these automated systems. Consequently, sheriffs in various counties throughout the state have been prompted to terminate their contracts and remove the ALPR devices.

The trend indicates a state-level pushback against pervasive surveillance technologies. Governor DeSantis’s public remarks have highlighted concerns about the expansion of data collection capabilities and their implications for individual privacy rights. These concerns appear to have resonated with county law enforcement officials, leading to decisive action.

The specific timeline for when these contracts were terminated or when permits were revoked by the FDOT was not provided in the summary. Similarly, the exact number of sheriffs or counties affected by this decision remains unspecified. Details regarding the nature of the data privacy concerns or documented instances of potential misuse were also not detailed in the available information.

As a result of these developments, sheriffs are now in the process of removing the Flock-style ALPR systems from their respective counties. The exact date for the complete removal of all devices across the state has not been specified.


Story summarized from the original created by Mitch Perry and Florida Phoenix on www.cltampa.com, see more information here.

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