{"id":2652945,"date":"2026-09-01T09:53:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-01T13:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/flock-cameras-removed-from-florida-highways-after-desantis-push\/"},"modified":"2026-09-01T09:54:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T13:54:38","slug":"flock-cameras-removed-from-florida-highways-after-desantis-push","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/flock-cameras-removed-from-florida-highways-after-desantis-push\/","title":{"rendered":"Flock cameras removed from Florida highways after DeSantis push"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fflock-cameras-removed-from-florida-highways-after-desantis-push%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2652945&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Florida Department of Transportation has ordered the removal of <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >automated license plate reader<\/a> (ALPR) cameras, specifically Flock systems, from the state&#8217;s highway system within 30 days, while leaving local and county rights-of-way unaffected. This decision comes amid ongoing debates over privacy and surveillance concerns linked to these cameras, which many believe collect more information than just license plates. Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted that most ALPRs are operated by local law enforcement and expressed concerns about overreach and misuse, emphasizing the need to preserve Florida\u2019s sovereignty and quality of life. Several counties have already announced they will disconnect their Flock cameras in response to the order, citing individual liberty and privacy issues. DeSantis also suggested the potential use of these cameras for immigration enforcement if necessary. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/army-head-forces-west-point-to-rescind-hiring-of-former-biden-disinformation-chief-with-anti-trump-history\/\" title=\"Army Head Forces West Point to Rescind Hiring of Former Biden &#039;Disinformation&#039; Chief With Anti...Trump History\">move reflects broader concerns<\/a> among Florida officials and some Republican leaders about the surveillance capabilities of Flock systems, with calls for stricter regulations or outright bans to prevent privacy violations and the development of a surveillance state.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/florida\/\">Florida<\/a> Department of Transportation on Monday blocked automated license plate reader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/privacy\/\">cameras<\/a> from being installed throughout the state highway system.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The department\u2019s memo means Flock camera systems must be removed from the state highway system within the next 30 days, but it will not impact local or county rights-of-way, where most ALPRs operate.\u00a0 As <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4707249\/josh-shapiro-stacy-garrity-ban-flock-cameras\/\">nationwide debate builds<\/a> over Flock systems, officials said <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net\/sitefinity\/docs\/default-source\/design\/bulletins\/eom26-01.pdf\">the order<\/a> is warranted to \u201cpreserve Florida\u2019s sovereignty and quality of life,\u201d citing the \u201crecent exponential increase in deployments along our roadways, coupled with concerning reports of misuse, data privacy concerns, and surveillance schemes.\u201d<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/technology\/4707550\/florida-desantis-block-flock-camera\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Florida agencies blocked from putting Flock cameras on state highways after DeSantis concerns<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4707168\/police-shooting-knife-woman-times-square\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Police kill knife-wielding woman near Times Square after deadly stabbing<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4706320\/kalshi-bans-george-santos-for-life\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Kalshi bans George Santos for life over State of the Union price manipulations<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ron-desantis\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"575\">Ron DeSantis<\/a> (R-FL) previewed the action last week during an appearance on Eric Bolling\u2019s podcast. The governor <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/3aAd_Wk6Dgo?t=622s\">said<\/a> 98% of Florida\u2019s roughly 8,000 ALPRs are operated primarily by local law enforcement rather than state agencies, but promised that any state agencies \u201cthat had a few of them are bringing them down.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe\u2019re going to clear the state right-of-ways,\u201d he promised, while leaving the door open to using them for immigration enforcement if it was \u201cvery targeted.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4703065\/deflock-flock-cameras-surveillance-midterms\/\">DEFLOCK STARTED FROM ONE MAN\u2019S CURIOSITY \u2014 NOW FLOCK CAMERAS ARE A MIDTERM ISSUE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThese cameras that are out there now \u2014 who\u2019s to say they\u2019re only doing the license plate?\u201d he said. \u201cNow, they say that. I think it\u2019s capturing people in their cars. I think it\u2019s capturing way more information than they\u2019re letting on. And you\u2019ve seen the abuse.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While they were not mandated to disconnect their ALPRs by the Florida Department of Transportation order, a slew of counties on Monday said they would disconnect their Flock systems in response to the memo. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jacksonville, Franklin, Walton, Okaloosa, Liberty, Putnam, and Calhoun counties are among those turning off cameras. Franklin County Sheriff AJ Smith <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wjhg.com\/2026\/09\/01\/franklin-county-joins-other-panhandle-counties-dropping-flock-cameras\/\">told<\/a> WJHG that most of the county\u2019s cameras are already on state roadways, so the county went ahead and turned those off, in addition to other cameras located on county right-of-ways. The Putnam County Sheriff\u2019s Office followed suit, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clayviews.com\/p\/putnam-county-ditches-flock-cameras\">citing<\/a> concerns about \u201cindividual liberty.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During a press event last week at Florida International University, DeSantis said he believes the cameras are \u201cout of control\u201d and expressed support for passing legislation further regulating Flock systems to protect against a \u201csurveillance state.\u201d DeSantis said the cameras were initially used for tolling in Florida before being used for other purposes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis was something that was kind of out there in that vein, and then with this whole Flock situation, it\u2019s now being used not for tolling by plate or things like that, but for actual criminal surveillance,\u201d he said. \u201cI don\u2019t want to have this become a surveillance state\u2026.I don\u2019t want there to be a situation \u2014 that\u2019s why we wanted an AI Bill of Rights.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DeSantis isn\u2019t the only Republican leader in Florida expressing skepticism about Flock cameras. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4703425\/embattled-jimmy-gomez-step-aside-dads-caucus-chairman\/\"><strong>EMBATTLED CALIFORNIA DEMOCRAT TO STEP ASIDE AS DADS CAUCUS CHAIRMAN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Earlier this summer, Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power called for a full ban on Flock systems, citing concerns about privacy rights.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cLocal governments have been abusing our rights by using Flock cameras to build profiles and track citizens,\u201d Power said. \u201cEnough is enough, let\u2019s ban Flock cameras and protect our 4th amendment rights.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Florida blocks Flock cameras on highways; local areas unaffected<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3142,"featured_media":2652946,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ron-desantis-flock-camera-collage-e1788270105534.jpg?1788255700&amp;w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[4980,82953,84962],"class_list":["post-2652945","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-desantis","tag-flock-cameras","tag-florida-highways"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/ron-desantis-flock-camera-collage-e1788270105534.jpg?1788255700&amp;w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652945","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3142"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2652945"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652945\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2652950,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2652945\/revisions\/2652950"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2652946"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2652945"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2652945"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2652945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}