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CCTV Cameras In UK Get Loudspeakers

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the 6079-smith-w dept.

An anonymous reader writes, "Big Brother is another step closer in the UK where the ever ubiquitous CCTV cameras are being fitted with loudspeakers so that camera operators who spot activities deemed 'anti-social' can berate the citizens below. In January 2004 there were more than 4,285,000 CCTV cameras in the UK (roughly 1 for every 4 households). No data about the number of CCTV cameras now in use in the UK is available."

2 of 484 comments (clear)

  1. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 4, Informative

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  2. Data Protection Act by LeRandy · · Score: 4, Informative

    In the UK, if a CCTV system comprises of more than fixed cameras with a general overview (as found in small shops etc...), it is covered by the Data Protection Act.

    If a camera-system can Pan & Zoom or is concentrated on a specific person's activities then

    • They have a right to know - Signs must be erected saying who records the images and why
    • They have a right to view suitably anonymised images (ie. passers by removed)
    • They have a right to contest the results of any automated processing, eg. biometric scanning,
    • Images cannot be shared without a confidentiality agreement signed by the recipient (ie. promising to keep person-identifying images private and secure)
    • Images must be erased after a reasonable period unless they are needed for a court case. Recording over the tape is not sufficient - they must be permanently erased. In the case of city centre CCTV, 1 month is considered the reasonable maximum, since any offences should have been notified by then. For banks, 3 months, because that is the maximum period between account statements being received by customers.
    • A detailed policy must be written and known by operators, listing exactly how, why and when images are recorded, used, and erased. Subjects of the CCTV images must be able to view this policy upon request.
    • If images recorded are used to cause undue harm or distress to the subject (law-enforcement uses of a video are not considered undue harm...), they must be erased immediately, along with all copies and any subsequent data purtaining to these images
    • The Data Controller at the company recording the images must be registered with the Information Commissioner's office in London.

    In addition, even if only fixed cameras are used, the above provisions apply if the images are not being used for law-enforcement alone.
    The Information Commissioner can order that any non-compliance be rectified, and since not complying with an enforcement notices is a criminal offence, the Information Commissioner can take the company to court - the fine is unlimited. If harm or distress was caused, they can also order compensation be paid.

    If a camera overlooks property not normally visible from the street (back gardens, house interiors, or anywhere you could reasonably expect privacy), the camera owner MUST receive permission to film from the current residents - including tenants, or must ensure the system cannot film these areas. This includes Landlords filming tenants inside the house...

    Just to put people in the know - the Data Protection legislation does cover CCTV, and reasonable expectation of privacy is included in the provisions.