Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
West Virginia lawmakers are seeking more information from Flock Safety after a recent legislative meeting raised questions about the company's security practices and access to data collected by its license plate-reading cameras.
"This meeting gave me many more concerns about Flock," Del. Tristan Leavitt, R-Kanawha, said. "I think the questions that I had were not well-answered. The witness did not have good information or didn't have answers to all the questions."
During August interim meetings, several lawmakers spoke with Kevin Kane, Flock Safety's director of government affairs, about the company and its security practices.
During the meeting, Kane told lawmakers that two-factor authentication, a security measure used when logging into accounts, had been required for "a long time."
Leavitt said a recent company blog post raised questions about that statement because it indicated the requirement was implemented only days before the legislative hearing.
"Whether it is technically false, you know, days before is still within the last year, but again, it left an impression that this was a safety precaution that had been in place for quite some time, which appears was not the case," Leavitt said.
Lawmakers now want additional answers from Flock, including information about who can access data and footage collected by its cameras.
Leavitt said those questions are particularly important when cameras may capture sensitive locations.
"It obviously raises certain questions if people can access footage of things like playgrounds or children," Leavitt said.
He also pointed to controversy in Georgia involving Flock employees' use of footage in sales pitches.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey said he also has concerns about the technology and expects lawmakers to address the issue during the upcoming legislative session.
"I'm a big believer in the Fourth Amendment. I care deeply about privacy, and some of what I've read in that testimony sounded problematic," Morrisey said.
Morrisey said he hopes to examine the issue further with lawmakers and believes legislation addressing Flock could be considered.
"I fully expect that's going to be on the legislative agenda for this year, and I look forward to collaborating with the Legislature to make something happen," Morrisey said.
Leavitt said he plans to introduce legislation focused on Flock during the upcoming session. In the meantime, he is seeking additional information directly from the company.
"If they don't respond, we will send a letter indicating that we can take further actions to try and gain these answers," Leavitt said. "I think it would be very much in their interest to respond."
Flock cameras have also generated discussion in communities across West Virginia. Huntington plans to begin using the cameras, while Putnam County has decided to wait before activating its system.
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/local/wva-lawmakers-press-flock-safety-for-answers-on-camera-data-access-and-security
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West Virginia lawmakers are seeking more information from Flock Safety after a recent legislative meeting raised questions about the company's security practices and access to data collected by its license plate-reading cameras.
"This meeting gave me many more concerns about Flock," Del. Tristan Leavitt, R-Kanawha, said. "I think the questions that I had were not well-answered. The witness did not have good information or didn't have answers to all the questions."
During August interim meetings, several lawmakers spoke with Kevin Kane, Flock Safety's director of government affairs, about the company and its security practices.
During the meeting, Kane told lawmakers that two-factor authentication, a security measure used when logging into accounts, had been required for "a long time."
Leavitt said a recent company blog post raised questions about that statement because it indicated the requirement was implemented only days before the legislative hearing.
"Whether it is technically false, you know, days before is still within the last year, but again, it left an impression that this was a safety precaution that had been in place for quite some time, which appears was not the case," Leavitt said.
Lawmakers now want additional answers from Flock, including information about who can access data and footage collected by its cameras.
Leavitt said those questions are particularly important when cameras may capture sensitive locations.
"It obviously raises certain questions if people can access footage of things like playgrounds or children," Leavitt said.
He also pointed to controversy in Georgia involving Flock employees' use of footage in sales pitches.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey said he also has concerns about the technology and expects lawmakers to address the issue during the upcoming legislative session.
"I'm a big believer in the Fourth Amendment. I care deeply about privacy, and some of what I've read in that testimony sounded problematic," Morrisey said.
Morrisey said he hopes to examine the issue further with lawmakers and believes legislation addressing Flock could be considered.
"I fully expect that's going to be on the legislative agenda for this year, and I look forward to collaborating with the Legislature to make something happen," Morrisey said.
Leavitt said he plans to introduce legislation focused on Flock during the upcoming session. In the meantime, he is seeking additional information directly from the company.
"If they don't respond, we will send a letter indicating that we can take further actions to try and gain these answers," Leavitt said. "I think it would be very much in their interest to respond."
Flock cameras have also generated discussion in communities across West Virginia. Huntington plans to begin using the cameras, while Putnam County has decided to wait before activating its system.
FULL STORY: wchstv.com/news/local/wva-lawmakers-press-flock-safety-for-answers-on-camera-data-access-and-security
_________________________________________
Follow WCHS on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/eyewitnessnewscharleston
Twitter: twitter.com/wchs8fox11
Instagram: instagram.com/wchs8fox11
For the latest local and national news, visit our website: wchstv.com
Sign up for our newsletter: wchstv.com/sign-up
