SEVEN people out of ten oppose CCTV cameras being allowed to record their conversations, according to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
The ICO canvassed opinions to coincide with the publication last week of a new CCTV code of practice.
The code forbids recording conversations between members of the public on the ground that it is “highly intrusive and unlikely to be justified”, a ruling that the survey found enjoys widespread public support.
The study also reveals that more than half the public don’t realise that the use of CCTV is covered by the Data Protection Act.
Under the Act, individuals have the right to access their details and to claim compensation when they suffer damage. The Act covers images and information derived from images, such as vehicle registration numbers. The ICO suggests that public sector organisations using CCTV appoint a legal expert to take responsibility for ensuring that the images they capture comply with the Act.
Advertisement
Jonathan Bamford, assistant commissioner at the ICO, says that it is essential for organisations to use CCTV responsibly to maintain public trust and to allay fears that the UK is turning into a surveillance society.
“CCTV enjoys a lot of public support and can have benefits such as helping with the detection of crime,” he says. “However, it can also be extremely intrusive, monitoring ordinary individuals as they go about their day-to-day business.”
The UK has more CCTV cameras per person than anywhere else in the world. www.ico.gov.uk