News Poll: Surveillance controversy shakes trust

YARMOUTH, Maine — Recent high‑profile scandals have put surveillance technology under renewed scrutiny, raising fresh questions about trust in the security industry, according to the results of this month’s SSN News Poll. 

Security Systems News asked readers whether the backlash to Ring’s recent doorbell commercial and its connection to Flock Safety’s surveillance network is affecting customer conversations, confidence, or sales cycles. Half of respondents said that while they haven’t experienced major fallout, the controversy has sparked new discussions with customers about surveillance practices. Another 25% said it’s still too early to know how public sentiment will, ultimately, evolve. 

“No conversations yet, but I have privacy concerns, especially given the current U.S. government,” wrote one reader. “They could easily abuse the system to surveil the public.” 

If there’s one trend readers agree on, it’s that these incidents are creating a broader reputational challenge for the security industry. Ninety percent of respondents said these controversies are creating trust issues, while only 10% believe customers can clearly distinguish between companies involved in such debates. 

“Privacy in public areas has never been protected; people just don't realize that,” one respondent noted. 

Despite the increased scrutiny, most respondents say their organizations haven’t changed how they communicate about surveillance, privacy, or data handling. Fifty‑six percent reported making no updates to their data policies or transparency practices, while 22% said they already take a proactive, transparent approach with customers. 

One reader suggested that the disparity in responses reflects the influx of consumer‑focused tech companies entering the market without the same standards or experience as traditional security manufacturers. 

“This is just an example of the consequences when people, corporations and manufacturers who have no experience in the security industry produce products and market them directly to the public,” they wrote. “Name one traditional security equipment manufacturer who would ever have produced a product that infringed upon their customers’ privacy. This is obviously a product created by a company governed by ‘nerdocracy.’”