Florida Gov. DeSantis calls ALPR use 'out of control,' urges legislative limits

First reported: August 27, 2026 · 8 sources

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly criticized the spread of automated license plate reader cameras, including Flock systems, saying the technology is 'out of control' and needs an overhaul. He acknowledged the cameras can be useful to law enforcement but warned against building detailed records of residents' movements without oversight. DeSantis pointed to an AI Bill of Rights that passed the Florida Senate this session but was not taken up by the House, and cited New Hampshire's ALPR law as a possible model.

Why this matters

A sitting governor calling for restrictions on ALPR technology signals that scrutiny of camera networks is not confined to one political coalition, and the New Hampshire framework he referenced could shape how other states draft retention and use limits.

Key facts

DeSantis said license plate reader cameras are 'out of control' and that the framework governing them 'needs to be overhauled.'
The AI Bill of Rights he backed passed the Florida Senate but was not considered by the state House; it is not law.
He cited New Hampshire's ALPR statute, which lists qualifying crimes, bars ALPR data as the sole basis for reasonable suspicion, and requires deletion within three minutes absent an active case.
No specific Florida bill, agency action, or enforcement measure was announced; DeSantis asked lawmakers to set boundaries.
Flock and law enforcement groups have argued the technology is important for solving crimes.

Sources

This summary was written from the published reporting below and links to it; BlockFlockNow does not reproduce article text.

Gov. Ron DeSantis urges oversight of Flock Cameras, says it's 'out of control' (Gulf Coast News and Weather, August 27, 2026)
Flock off? Ron DeSantis says automated license plate readers 'out of control,' warns of 'surveillance state' (Florida Politics, August 26, 2026)
Tempe Dropped Flock Safety. Now Ron DeSantis Says License Plate Surveillance Is ‘Out of Control’ (inc.com, August 26, 2026)
DeSantis calls Flock license plate cameras 'out of control,’ urges overhaul (WPEC, August 26, 2026)
DeSantis calls Flock license plate cameras out of control , urges overhaul – Sun Sentinel (sun-sentinel.com, August 26, 2026)
Governor DeSantis calls Flock license plate cameras 'out of control,' urges overhaul (WPEC, August 26, 2026)
DeSantis calls flock camera surveillance ‘out of control,’ urges legislative action (News4JAX, August 26, 2026)
Ron DeSantis Says Flock Cameras Are 'Out of Control,' But Florida's Already Flooded With Surveillance (inkl, August 27, 2026)

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About this record

BlockFlockNow documents reported incidents involving Flock Safety cameras and automated license plate readers: council votes, contract decisions, misuse by authorized users, lawsuits, audits, and community response. Every record is reviewed by a person before publication. New to the topic? Start with What is Flock?, find meetings near you, or learn how to request your town's camera records.

Updated September 9, 2026. Corrections: blockflock@bytebunny.io. See all documented incidents or search the full article archive.