Florida has banned the use of license plate readers (LPRs) on state roads, according to a recent memorandum from the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT), issued by Chief Operating Officer Will Watts. The move comes in response to increasing concerns over the use of automatic license plate reader (ALPR) technology, particularly by companies like Flock Safety. The memorandum states that permits for LPR systems are immediately revoked, and law enforcement agencies have 30 days from August 31 to remove any existing devices from state roads. Additionally, the DOT will no longer approve new requests for LPR systems within its jurisdiction. The decision reportedly follows pressure from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who has previously criticized the use of ALPR technology as "out of control" in the state. He emphasized that the new rules only apply to state roads and do not affect the 98 percent of ALPRs already installed on local roads and private property. In response, law enforcement officials in Jacksonville and Okaloosa County have pledged to remove ALPRs from their jurisdictions as well. Automatic license plate readers have been used for decades by law enforcement to help locate stolen vehicles, missing persons, and assist in criminal investigations. Recently, ALPRs were instrumental in locating a murder suspect who fled the state. Flock Safety, a leading provider of ALPR technology, has faced criticism for its widespread use of cameras, which some argue lead to excessive surveillance. The company has attempted to address these concerns by updating its software and policies to limit how long data is stored. Public concerns about ALPRs have grown due to reports of misuse and constant surveillance. Vandalism of ALPR devices has also increased, prompting regulatory actions. Outside of Florida, other jurisdictions have taken similar steps. For example, the Los Angeles Police Department suspended its contract with Flock in July, and two counties in Ohio paused their use of Flock cameras in August due to alleged misuse. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott temporarily halted funding for state agencies seeking to acquire Flock hardware. While these actions focus on Flock, they reflect a broader shift toward reevaluating how technology is used in public safety efforts.