Florida orders removal of license plate cameras from state highway rights-of-way

This order forces local police departments to dismantle surveillance infrastructure on state highways, impacting how law enforcement tracks vehicles while raising questions about the future of similar technology on local and private roads.

• •The FDOT directive issued Aug. 31 revokes all existing approvals for automated license plate readers on state highway rights-of-way.
• •Local law enforcement agencies have 30 days from the directive date to remove their devices.
• •FDOT will remove any remaining covered cameras after the 30-day deadline.
• •The state has stopped issuing new approvals for license plate readers on state highways.
• •The order does not apply to cameras located on local roads, county roads, or private property.
• •License plate readers capture images of passing vehicles to help police locate suspects, stolen cars, or missing persons.
• •Privacy concerns cited include reports of officers using databases to track individuals not suspected of crimes, such as spouses or partners.
• •Governor DeSantis suggested New Hampshire's model—which limits readers to those mounted on and operated by police vehicles—as a potential path forward.
• •Legislative action on broader restrictions remains uncertain before the November election.