Lawmakers Seek Guardrails on Flock Camera Data
West Virginia legislators are drafting rules for AI-powered surveillance cameras after questioning the vendor about security and data storage.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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West Virginia lawmakers met with Flock representatives on Monday during interim meetings about its AI-powered surveillance cameras. Lawmakers are drafting legislation to add guardrails on the cameras after Flock did not answer many of their questions.
Why it matters
Lawmakers are concerned about pattern-of-life searches when no crimes have been committed and about federal agencies having access to these systems. The concerns center on who can view footage and how data is stored, issues that affect residents across the state.
Flock gave four different answers on some questions lawmakers asked about security and data storage. Lawmakers have not yet received full clarity on who has access to the camera footage.
The players
Flock
Flock is the company that makes the AI-powered surveillance cameras under review by West Virginia lawmakers.
The details
Lawmakers sent letters to Flock raising concerns about security and data storage, then questioned company representatives in person during interim meetings. Lawmakers say they have enough information on most general categories to act, though they need more discussion before making final decisions.
Timeline
August: Lawmakers began contacting Flock representatives.
Monday (November 2026): Lawmakers met with Flock representatives during interim meetings.
January 13, 2027: The 2027 legislative session begins.
Legislative Context
West Virginia lawmakers are working to finish drafting camera guardrails before the 2027 legislative session opens on January 13. Their questions to Flock set the groundwork for rules that could govern how the state's surveillance tools are used.
If the proposed guardrails pass, residents could see new limits on how camera footage is accessed and shared. Lawmakers' focus on who can view the data affects everyday privacy for people across West Virginia.
The takeaway
Surveillance technology is moving faster than the rules meant to govern it, so questions about data access and storage are now central to lawmaking. Residents can watch how the 2027 session handles these guardrails.
What happens next
Lawmakers plan to present draft legislation when the 2027 legislative session begins on January 13, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Legislative Policy for background on how state lawmakers craft rules for new technology.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCHS.
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