Web Cams

Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts

Surely this would be akin to the CCTV rules which necessitate adequate signage and warnings?

They also require a control of who has access to the images.

Michael Miotk
Member - 21 posts

I thought it would be, and based my arguments surrounding CCTV legislation. They (the company) say that the images are not stored, and that it is just like a normal web cam you can access via the internet. I can see where they are comming from, but I also understand the requirements regarding the CCTV. I have on several occations turned the web cams off saying I want notices put up, only to find them turned on again. What I am looking for is a definative answer which way I have to go with this. I have no objections with the web cams as long as others are aware of there use and are able to have their say. The company is a brilliant company to work for, but some people do think they know better.

John Salmon
Member - 10 posts

Webcams can be considered like CCTV and therefore to the extent that your webcam enables living individuals to be identified, you must comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 because filming is a form of processing personal data.

In your case, if staff are being filmed it sounds as though you would be able to identify them and presumably you would also the be able to identify the members of the public on your courses, therefore, under the Act, you should be up-front about use of the cameras. The Act provides a possible exemption where the filming is carried out for the purposes of the prevention or detection of crime or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders and complying with the relevant provisions of the Act (eg. to tell people that you are filming them) would prejudice these purposes but this doesn't sound applicable in your case.

You can find a Code of Practice for CCTV issued by the Information Commissioner on www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk as well as a Code of Practice on the employer/employee relationship which refers to monitoring of staff. This explains the circumstances where covert monitoring can be justified.

In your case, it sounds as though you are absolutely right to ask for notices to be put up with the cameras. However, you may not need to go so far as to ask members of the public to sign a consent form if, under the Act, you can argue that it is in your legitimate business interests to use the cameras and your interests are not outweighed by any harm or prejudice to the individuals concerned - therefore if you use notices and take account of any legitimate objections, this may be sufficient.

If you want further help, please e-mail me at John.Salmon@masons.com.

Regards,

John Salmon

Partner, Masons

Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts

CCTV code of practice says 'CCTV or similar surveillance equipment' - what's a web cam if not that (if used for the same purpose)?

What's to stop a company recording the web cam images onto a computer hard drive? Our CCTV system is digital and doesn't have tape at all, so I could record from a web cam in exactly the same way I do for CCTV, to my PC. How would a member of public or member of staff know?

I can't speak for your company, but I'd make sure we had signs up. In these litigeous times a sign prevents a lot of lawyers bills!

Philip Jeffs
Member - 292 posts

Sorry, John's comment came in as I was typing mine - he's the expert!

Anonymous

Philip, hi and thank you for your comments, I didn't expect to get it so much in the neck when asking questions on this forum. I can understand you point and agree totally with it, but please Philip less strop

Take care

Mike

Anonymous

I would say it definitely is. You are filming people who may be unaware of the cams, they have no idea if it is being recorded or not and people will be watching the scenes that are being broadcast. And not just to a security team. If it's a proper webcam then absolutely anyone may be watching. Creepy thought.

You have to have a CCTV sign even if you have 'Dummy' cameras to keep up the realism so surely anything that is classed as surveilance (Including small unobtrusive webcams) is covered without question.

Anonymous

I am aware that when a camera is in place, signs need to be put up to alert the public that they are entering an area under surveillance. But where does this apply:

To ALL camera users, anywhere?

or

To JUST companies?

In other words, does this apply to households, using cameras to protect their premesis?

Anonymous

our workplace has experienced complicated times as of recent,first of all i work for a shopping centre security team & part of our job is to man the c.c.t.v!

the main office where we(the security team) mostly dwell has one exit through a downstairs lobby,which is used by management,contractors,security & certain members of public but about a year & a half ago the management installed a camera in that lobby facing the signing in book & the main door(as we were told)the main function of this camera was to "see who was at the door & to monitor contractors,public in the lobby from the control room! - no signage is installed to alert anyone to the fact but more alarming is the fact that now - certain staff who have been leaving early have been reprimanded & possible disciplinary action possibly leading to sacking is to take place all down to the information that has come from this camera...surely adequate signage should be in place before such disciplinary matters are even thought of? what does anyone think about that?....replies greatly appreciated..martin

ashleigh ashleigh
Member - 2 posts

I am searching or information and policy pertaining to webcam restriction/law in the workplace (United States), specifically more public locations such as the board room. Could you please advice where to find such parameters. Does this fall within regulation of CCTV?