MIAMI-DADE COUNTY (CBS12) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is calling for changes to the growing use of Flock license plate reader cameras, saying the technology has gone too far and could threaten Floridians’ privacy.
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DeSantis addressed the issue Wednesday during an event at Florida International University in Miami, where he announced partnerships between the state’s emergency management agency and colleges and universities.
“I think these cameras, the license plate readers, I think it’s out of control,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis said the technology has evolved beyond uses such as toll collection and is now being used by police and sheriff’s offices for criminal surveillance.
“I’m all about having law enforcement have tools to be able to hold criminals accountable,” DeSantis said. “But I don’t want to have this become a surveillance state.”
He also tied his concerns to his push for an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights,” noting that Flock uses artificial intelligence.
“I think it needs to be overhauled for sure,” DeSantis said.
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DeSantis said he has asked for an overview of how license plate readers are being used by state agencies. He said state use is relatively limited compared with local police and sheriff’s offices.
He also questioned safeguards around the information collected by the cameras, pointing to instances of alleged misuse.
“When I see like a police officer using this to track like an ex-girlfriend, I’m like, ‘You know, what the hell’s going on?’” DeSantis said.
DeSantis said the rapid expansion of the technology is a reason for concern and that protections would need to come through the Legislature. He said he is reviewing a New Hampshire law as a possible starting point for Florida.
“But, go after criminals, great. Let’s all do that,” DeSantis said. “But surveilling just regular Floridians’ movements and how that data’s used, you know, that’s a bird of a different feather.”
DeSantis made the comments during a news conference at Florida International University announcing the state’s new Coalition for Operational Readiness and Education program, which aims to expand emergency management training and workforce opportunities across Florida colleges and universities.
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WPEC-CBS12 is a news partner of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.