Florida DOT Revokes Highway Plate-Reader Permits, Ordering Removal Within 30 Days
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 9
Florida DOT Revokes Highway Plate-Reader Permits, Ordering Removal Within 30 Days
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 9
Summary
Aug. 31 brought Florida’s sharpest rollback yet on automated plate readers: FDOT revoked permits for systems in state-highway rights-of-way and said existing cameras must come down within 30 days.
FDOT cited the rapid spread of the systems, reports of misuse, and broader privacy and surveillance concerns; it also said it will stop issuing new permits on property under its control.
The order does not ban every camera in Florida—local governments can still decide whether to keep readers on city or county property, though Miami-Dade has already suspended its entire program.
The move follows scrutiny of cases such as Lindsey Isaacs’, in which a Flock camera hit helped tie her to a 2025 fatal I-4 crash before prosecutors dropped eight felony charges and arrested another suspect.
Flock says its cameras provide investigative leads, not proof of guilt, and has separately tightened safeguards by cutting default data retention from 30 days to 7 and requiring more search auditing.