Axis survey finds Americans growing more comfortable with video surveillance

CHELMSFORD, Mass.—A majority of Americans have become more comfortable with video surveillance over the past five years, according to new research released by Axis Communications.

The company's 2026 Public Perception of Video Surveillance survey found that 58% of U.S. adults are more comfortable with video surveillance in public and private spaces than they were five years ago. Eleven percent were less comfortable.

The survey, conducted among more than 1,000 U.S. adults, also found that public awareness of surveillance technology remains high. Seventy percent of respondents said they are either extremely aware or very aware of video surveillance systems in public spaces.

Growing acceptance of surveillance

"While the public is becoming more comfortable with video surveillance, that acceptance cannot be taken for granted," said Fredrik Nilsson, vice president, Americas, at Axis Communications. "The public sees a clear role for video surveillance in creating safer spaces, but they also expect organizations to use the technology responsibly."

Only 18% of respondents said they had avoided a location because of surveillance concerns, though attitudes varied by generation with 32% of Gen Z respondents saying they had avoided a place compared with 28% of millennials, 12% of Gen X respondents and 6% of baby boomers.

Comfort levels vary by location

Among specific locations, respondents expressed the highest comfort levels with surveillance in transportation settings. Seventy-eight percent said they were either very comfortable or somewhat comfortable with surveillance in transit hubs. Retail stores and shopping centers followed at 77%, while educational campuses registered 73%. Workplaces recorded the lowest level of comfort among the locations surveyed, though a majority of respondents still viewed surveillance favorably.

Mixed views on AI

Attitudes toward artificial intelligence (AI) applications in surveillance were mixed. Respondents reported the greatest comfort with AI tools designed to detect threats such as weapons, suspicious objects or unusual behavior in real time. Support was also relatively strong for certain law enforcement applications, including comparing facial images against databases of known criminal suspects, as well as automated identity verification in airport security environments.

At the same time, concerns about AI-enabled surveillance remained significant. Sixty-six percent of respondents cited worries about false positives or inaccurate information, while the same percentage expressed concerns about the misuse or mishandling of personal data.

Transparency and trust remain critical

According to Axis, the findings highlight increasing public acceptance of surveillance technologies alongside continued expectations that organizations deploy them responsibly and safeguard privacy. "This desire for transparent and ethical behavior further underscores the need for security vendors to earn the trust of the public," Nilsson said.

Related: Axis Communications opens 20th Experience Center in the Americas