The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has issued an order prohibiting the use of Flock cameras to spy on Floridians on state roads, and many counties are following suit.
In a recent memorandum, FDOT revoked general-use permits for automated license plate readers. The memo states: “While Florida law limits the issuance of permits for LPR [license plate reader] systems to law enforcement agencies, the recent exponential increase in deployments along our roadways, coupled with concerning reports of misuse, data privacy concerns, and surveillance schemes merit[s] immediate action to preserve Floridians’ sovereignty and quality of life.”
The department clarified that approvals for Flock cameras on state rights-of-way are temporary. Local agencies have 30 days to remove the cameras from state property; if they refuse to comply, FDOT will intervene.
Multiple counties in Florida have implemented similar orders, mandating the removal of Flock cameras from county roads. Miami-Dade County, with nearly three million residents, has axed Flock. Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz stated: “Public safety and constitutional rights are not competing values. In Miami-Dade County, we have shown that we can protect both.”
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office license plate reader program will be suspended in its entirety.
Other counties, including Walton, Franklin, Liberty, Okaloosa, and Calhoun, have also decided to drop Flock cameras, with many more expected to follow.
Governor Ron DeSantis, who is terming out in January after two terms, stated: “I’m all about having law enforcement have tools to hold criminals accountable, but I don’t want to have this become a surveillance state.”
Founded in 2017, Flock Safety claims it is the “largest public-private” surveillance network with the goal of eliminating all crime. The cameras are equipped with gunshot detection technology and an AI system capable of conducting precise searches down to bumper stickers.
The company has also introduced Flock Alpha, a drone that can travel up to 60 miles per hour, cover 50 square miles, and feature thermal night vision capabilities.
Flock Safety is estimated to be worth $7.5 billion. Two significant funders are Palantir CEO Peter Thiel’s Founders Fund and Andreessen Horowitz, firms linked to AI-powered intelligence and defense initiatives.
Despite the state-level action, Flock cameras continue to expand nationwide, with over 137,000 active units reported by DeFlock.
A Florida-based educator and activist, Nathan DiPietro, noted: “Florida’s decision is a tremendous win for personal freedom. The people are fighting back against the advancing surveillance state.”
DiPietro added: “This is an opportunity for us as citizens to take back our privacy rights from both Big Tech and the government.”
