CCTV operators must continue to comply with the Data Protection Act if they are to maintain the long term support of the public, says the Information Commisioner’s Office. But the public is generally happy with CCTV use.

The ICO report ‘Public Attitudes to the Deployment of Surveillance Techniques in Public Places’ suggests that CCTV is popular with most people where it is used as an anti-crime measure to help deter criminal and anti-social behaviour and catch perpetrators.

Members of the public who took part in the research identified a number of factors, such as ‘proper security’ and restrictions on disclosure, as essential to ensure effective regulation of CCTV. The ICO says these are in line with its good practice guidance on CCTV and the Data Protection Act.

Assistant Information Commissioner Jonathon Bamford said that to maintain the popularity of CCTV and its trust with the public, operators need to ensure that cameras are only used for their proper purpose.

“Many organisations using CCTV, such as large retailers and town centre schemes, are processing personal data and therefore must comply with the eight principles of the Data Protection Act,” he said.

“CCTV and some other modern surveillance methods may have a useful role to play in modern society, as long as they are used appropriately to protect personal safety and prevent crime.”

The Data Protection Act says data must be fairly and lawfully processed, used for limited purposes, be adequate, relevant and not excessive, accurate and up to date, not kept longer than necessary, secure, in accordance with individual rights, and not transferred to countries outside the European Economic Area unless the country has adequate protection for the individual.

Source

Security Installer