Florida Gov. DeSantis points to New Hampshire as model for license plate reader rules
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. —
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida should look to another state as FDOT orders license plate readers off of state roads.
On Monday, during a news conference, DeSantis pointed to New Hampshire as a model for protecting people’s privacy.
“Florida’s going to need to do something for sure on that,” DeSantis said. “I think New Hampshire showed the way it can be done.”
According to New Hampshire’s surveillance policy, the state restricts state and local governments from watching “any public ways,” with exceptions for specific criminal investigations, toll collection and certain safety operations.
“New Hampshire has one of, if not the strictest laws on the books regarding automated license plate readers,” said Caitlin Fennessy, the vice president and chief knowledge officer of IAPP.
Fennessy said one key difference in New Hampshire is how long data can be retained.
“Data can only be retained for 3 minutes max, unless there is a hit that results in an arrest or an open case that is proceeding,” she said.
DeSantis acknowledged on Monday the successes of license plate readers.
“I guarantee you every sheriff in Florida can point to examples where it has been used appropriately and probably effectively,” DeSantis said.
However, cybersecurity engineer Evan Lutz said that the benefit depends on how carefully the system is managed.
“All it takes is one oversight from one of these individuals or organizations or municipalities to have too much access or to get lazy with their access,” Lutz said.