Kendall Brandt
•9/2/2026
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has ordered the removal of automated license plate readers from state roads, citing concerns about data misuse and gaps in oversight. According to the website DeFlock, there are more than 800 license plate readers across six Gulf Coast counties. Some residents, like Robert Williams of Fort Myers, are not troubled by the technology. "Many people are expressing privacy concerns, but I try to live my life that, that wouldn't be a problem if somebody did find out that type information on me," Williams said. Others, however, point out the advanced capabilities of the devices. "It's putting the data into a searchable format so it can be correlated over time. Geography. It's date-stamped, it's location-stamped. It's building this information graph, basically of everything that was within view, data-wise, of the growing network of cameras," said John Joyce, a consultant with CRS Technology Consultants. FDOT’s decision to remove the readers will significantly reduce the network of cameras on state roads. Florida law currently allows agencies to retain the data for up to three years, or longer if it is part of an investigation. However, no laws specify how often the data can be searched or how it can be shared between agencies. "What's changing here is the governance conversation around it," Joyce said. "If we have all this data sitting here, who has access to it? Under what conditions are they allowed to access it? Is there oversight in place? And, all importantly, how long are we keeping that data?" Automated license plate readers have been in use for over two decades, according to the Department of Homeland Security. FDOT’s order applies only to state roads, meaning the readers can still be used in county parking lots and on private property. Similar technology is used on Lee County school buses to issue traffic tickets, but those cameras are not affected by FDOT's order, as they fall under a different state law. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
