Cox 'deeply troubled' by Flock camera privacy issues, vows system review

Our Take

When a sitting governor says he's 'deeply troubled' by a surveillance system his own state has been quietly blanketing roads with, that's not a small thing. Credit to FOX 13 News Utah for getting Cox on record — it's rare for a Flock Safety customer this high up the chain to publicly acknowledge the problem instead of hiding behind vendor talking points about 'solving crime.'

But a 'review' is not a policy. We've seen agencies promise audits, commission reports, and quietly keep the cameras running while the news cycle moves on. The real test is whether Utah actually limits who can query this data, how long it's retained, and whether out-of-state agencies and federal partners get a backdoor into Utahns' movements. Flock's own audit logs have shown abuse elsewhere, and 'deeply troubled' doesn't put guardrails on a network that already logs millions of plates a day.

If you live in Utah, don't wait for Salt Lake City to finish its review before you start paying attention. Check our map to see what's already watching your streets, and use our take-action resources to push your city council for real transparency — not just a governor's statement.