David Jolly, a Democratic candidate for Florida governor, said he would support a special legislative session to address the use of Flock safety cameras and suggested that substantial reforms or elimination of the technology should be considered. He called for search warrants before law enforcement may use data collected by the cameras.

The cameras, which number more than 7,500 statewide and are used by at least 100 agencies, have drawn bipartisan criticism for privacy concerns, though police say they aid public safety. Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed opposition, saying the cameras operate without sufficient oversight.

Jolly said that, in the absence of a judicial warrant or an active crime, government cameras should not collect individual data, and that substantial reforms or removal should be considered. He emphasized the need for warrants before data can be accessed.

Republican candidate Byron Donalds, who previously called for a pause on Flock adoption and proposed penalties for misuse, said he would work with law enforcement to set parameters if elected, after discussing the issue with the Florida Sheriffs Association. Donalds did not respond to a request for comment after DeSantis' remarks. The debate occurs as the candidates position themselves on a topic that also involves federal scrutiny from senators such as Josh Hawley and Bernie Sanders, who have questioned the creation of a national database from the camera data.

Law enforcement agencies in cities including Jacksonville, Orlando, Miami and others use the cameras to track stolen tags, narcotics and immigration status, while critics argue the technology may violate constitutional rights.

The candidates' differing approaches highlight the growing national debate over automated license‑plate readers, and the outcome of the Florida gubernatorial race may influence future state policy on the surveillance technology.