Smile, you’re on camera!

And most Americans are okay with that.

Customer incivility is rising. From angry shoppers and unruly passengers to viral meltdowns at concerts, frontline workers, and the communities they serve, are facing more stress than ever. HALOS partnered with YouGov to find out how US adults really feel about the use of body-worn cameras beyond policing. The results tell a story of shifting norms and a growing desire for accountability and safety.

"Bodycams are quickly becoming an accepted part of the public safety toolkit."

– Alan Ring, CEO, HALOS

Have you noticed body-worn cameras in public?

Most Americans haven’t…yet.

Even as more businesses adopt body-worn cameras, the majority of people say they haven’t seen them in action outside of law enforcement. That’s likely to change as cameras become more common in stores, transit, and event spaces.

Have you noticed body-worn cameras in public?

body-cam-survey-infographic-train-mobile

Have you ever noticed body-worn cameras being worn by employees in public settings (excluding law enforcement)?

69%

No, never

17%

Yes (12% once or twice, 5% often)

13%

Not sure

Body cams may not be widely seen—yet. But as safety concerns grow, visibility and public familiarity are only heading in one direction.

How comfortable are you with staff wearing body cams?

Comfortable. Uncomfortable. Mostly? Indifferent.

Americans are more open to body-worn cameras than you might expect. Nearly 3 in 4 adults say they either feel comfortable, or don’t feel strongly either way, when they see a body cam on a retail worker or private security guard.

How comfortable are you with staff wearing body cams?

How comfortable would you feel if a staff member in a store was wearing a body-worn camera?

71%

Comfortable or indifferent

29%

Uncomfortable

The majority of Americans don’t feel strongly either way, and more people are comfortable than you might expect. This signals public normalization, not backlash.

Why do people think body cams are being used?

It’s not about watching workers, it’s about protecting them.

When asked why businesses might equip staff with body-worn cameras, Americans didn’t cite control or oversight—they pointed to protection, prevention, and proof.

Top 3 reasons cited:

To protect staff from verbal or physical abuse

48%

To deter theft or criminal behavior

39%

To gather video evidence in case of disputes

33%

To protect staff from verbal or physical abuse

Far fewer believe body cams are used to:

11%

Monitor staff performance

7%

Increase control or surveillance over workers

Public perception is clear: body cams are seen as tools to defend, not spy.

Where should body-worn cameras be used?

Americans want body cams where the stakes – and stress – are high.

Americans overwhelmingly support the use of body-worn cameras in private-sector frontline roles, especially where tensions can run high.

Most supported use cases:

82%

Police and law enforcement

62%

Private security (e.g. shopping centers, office buildings, events, etc.)

61%

Emergency workers (e.g. ambulance crews, mental health support teams, etc.)

45%

Transport workers (e.g. delivery drivers, bus/train staff, etc.)

30%

Hospitality staff (e.g. pub/bar staff, venue security, etc.)

28%

Retail staff (e.g. shop workers, supermarket staff, etc.)

Private security, emergency response, and transit are now viewed as critical sectors where body cams help protect both staff and the public.

Funny how people act differently when they know they’re on camera.

Americans don’t just tolerate body-worn cameras, they say the cameras change how people behave, making public spaces feel safer and more civil.

people-act-different-on-camera-mobile-rev

62%

agree that body cams help deter disorderly conduct

48%

say that cameras increase their sense of personal safety

44%

say they would think twice about their behavior if staff were wearing cameras

Body-worn cameras don’t just record problems, they help prevent them.

The new norm in public safety.

As incidents of customer aggression and safety concerns continue to rise, Americans increasingly view body-worn cameras as essential, not invasive. Whether it’s a transit station, a checkout lane, or an event venue, the public is ready to see more cameras, and more accountability.

HALOS commissioned global research and analytics firm, YouGov, to conduct an online poll of US-based adults 18+. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,636 US adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 2nd - 4th June 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+).

Download our research report, Measuring Consumer Attitudes Around the Growing Prevalence of Body-Worn Cameras: A Look at the Private Sector Opportunity, for deeper insights into the survey data.

Download now