Sheriffs drop license plate readers as DeSantis warns against ‘surveillance state’

Filed 1h ago · Via Florida Phoenix · The Buffoon Desk

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Kevin MacLeod · incompetech.com · CC BY 4.0

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he wants license plate-reading cameras aimed at criminals rather than ordinary citizens, days after ordering their removal from state rights-of-way and after at least four sheriffs announced they were ending contracts with vendor Flock Safety.

DeSantis warned the data could be misused or sold, calling for an 'AI Bill of Rights' the Florida Senate passed 37-2 but the House refused to bring to a vote this year.

Flock Safety points to a survey claiming its technology helped recover half or more stolen vehicles in 40% of surveyed agencies, while critics cite cases of officers abusing the system, including one Polk County officer accused of tracking his estranged wife's vehicle 717 times.

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✒ FROM THE EDITORIAL DESK

A governor who spent years expanding law enforcement's toolkit is now warning about a 'digital surveillance state,' which is either a genuine change of heart or excellent timing ahead of a legislative fight. Either way, the sheriffs dropping Flock contracts within days of his comments suggest the message landed loudly, however it was intended.

Source: Read the original at Florida Phoenix → Scored: Fox Tale Waltz Part 1 Instrumental · Kevin MacLeod · CC BY 4.0

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