In an age of constant video surveillance, can we be confident in our right to privacy? 

No. 46: Bringing you the news that matters in video privacy and security

A note from our Editor

Hi all,

In the past 10 years, we have seen a largescale proliferation in the number of public and private cameras capturing our data. Video surveillance can be an effective deterrence and helps to keep a record of incidents to help public safety. However, there remains notable public uneasiness with the scale at which we are being surveilled, as well as how that video data is being used. This is only growing as laws governing the usage of video surveillance footage are changing.

As the UK government prepares to usher in a new Data Protection and Digital Information Bill, this bill could include the scrapping of the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice. The 2013 code sets out guiding principles for police and local authority use of CCTV cameras. However, there are concerns that it will lessen the scrutiny of law enforcement's use of video surveillance and data collection. 

Meanwhile in the Netherlands, always-on surveillance is also being questioned in the workplace. A Dutch court ruled that a worker was unfairly fired for refusing to keep his webcam on all day as it violated the right to privacy within the home. Over lockdown, the line between work and home was both amplified and blurred - and the question of privacy rights within this context was in disarray. This court ruling is a step in the direction of privacy, and one that may change the way in which employees are monitored in the "workplace". 

In New York, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced security cameras will be installed across all New York City subway cars but, with lacking data protection laws, is there a guarantee that all this visual data will be kept safe?

The use of cameras will only grow moving forward and so the public will need assurances that the correct frameworks and guidelines are in place so this is carried out responsibly.

As always, please send any feedback or topics of interest you would like to be covered. 

Seena


News

Joe Biden signs a new executive order on EU-US data privacy agreement

US President, Joe Biden, has recently signed an executive order which would limit the ability of US national security agencies to access people’s information. This looks to create a new body within the Justice Department to monitor and oversee how these agencies are able to access the data of both US and EU citizens, as well as the ability of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to investigate any privacy violations.

Politico: Biden signs executive order on EU-US data privacy agreement

Wired: Biden’s Privacy Order Slaps a Band-Aid on the EU-US Data Crisis

 

Police CCTV guidelines could potentially be scrapped under government's Data Reform Bill 

The 2013 Surveillance Camera Code of Practice looks to be scrapped as the government makes movements to pass the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. Should the current bill become law, the use of CCTV cameras will move to the control of the ICO, which will be in charge of judging whether the use of surveillance cameras by police and local authorities is against data protection laws.

Tech Monitor: Fears over potential scrapping of guidelines for police using CCTV

UK Parliament: Data Protection and Digital Information Bill

 

Dutch court rules in favour of privacy in employee webcam monitoring case

A US-based IT company, Chetu, has been ordered to pay €75,000 to a Dutch worker after the employee was fired for refusing to keep their camera on all day. A Dutch court found that this decision was a violation of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) right to privacy, and the employee was fired on insufficient grounds.

The Verge: Subjecting workers to webcam monitoring violates privacy, Dutch court rules

BBC: Court win for man fired for not keeping webcam on

 

ICO reprimands the Home Office after sensitive counter-terror documents were left in a public London venue

The Home Office has recently been reprimanded by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) after four documents, including Extremism Analysis Unit reports including sensitive information, were found at a public London venue. Pending an investigation, it was found that the Home Office did not have a proper sign-out process for documents being removed, and the incident was not reported to the ICO within the 72-hour limit.

Security Journal United Kingdom: Home Office blasted by ICO for security breach

ITV: Home Office reprimanded over sensitive counter-terror documents left at venue

 

New York set to install security cameras in every subway car

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced that security cameras will be installed across all New York City subway cars. This decision comes several months after police investigations into a subway shooter attack were compromised by issues with the station security cameras, and is an attempt to make riders feel more confident in their safety on the subway. 

Reuters: New York to install security cameras on every subway car

Ifsec Global: Security cameras to be installed on every New York subway car


AI Snippet of the Week

Artist uses covert AI-powered surveillance cameras to identify influencers posing for Instagram

In an interesting new use of AI, a Belgian artist recently used open-access video surveillance and AI to debunk how Instagram photos are taken. His system recorded weeks of footage, trawled images posted by influencers on Instagram, and matched the influencers. 

IFSEC Global: Artist uses AI to train open-access CCTV to spot influencers posing for photos

Vice: Artist Uses AI Surveillance Cameras to Identify Influencers Posing for Instagram


Policy Updates

The UK set to scrap GDPR in favour of its own privacy framework

The Secretary of State for DCMS, Michelle Donelan, has made recent comments reinforcing the commitment of the government to scrap GDPR. The government looks to get rid of the current legislation, and replace it with a “common sense” new framework with less “red tape” for businesses, while still keeping consumer data safe. 

Reuters: Britain to replace GDPR data privacy regime with own system

IT Pro: Government reveals fresh replacement for GDPR will be a ‘bespoke, British’ system


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