Published Sep 1, 2026, 1:38 PM EDT
Privacy advocates argue that replacing one with another leaves the main problems intact. The number of cameras may fall, but the tracking continues.
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Published Sep 1, 2026, 1:38 PM EDT
A wave of public backlash is pulling Flock's license plate reader cameras off streets nationwide. But in many communities, surveillance isn't ending and cameras are actually just changing brands. As cities cancel their contracts with Flock Safety, more are hiring Axon instead. They are another law enforcement technology company that installs cameras that scan and track passing vehicles much as Flock cameras do, and they lack the public attention that Flock has received over the course of the past few months. That trend has even reached the Florida Department of Transportation. They ordered all license plate readers removed from state roads on Aug. 31, revoking permits for Flock, Axon and Motorola cameras alike and giving agencies 30 days to take them down. The order affects hundreds of cameras and marks the first time a state has pulled the entire category off its roads rather than leaving the choice to individual cities. Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican who has pushed for what he calls an artificial intelligence bill of rights, told attendees at a Florida International University event in late August: "I don't want to have this become a surveillance state."
