Hidden Cameras in Society ‘Today Tonight’ Story
We have no control of CCTV footage, and the embarrassing security vision that’s being shared with a worldwide audience.
Captured on camera then released to the world – the angry, the amorous, the innocent and the indecent. It’s the secret ‘black label’ CCTV footage you weren’t meant to see – the private collection kept not for your personal safety, but for a premiere on YouTube.
At one casino the cameras roll 24/7. They keep watch over unruly patrons on the gaming room floor and an even closer eye behind closed doors. A dance group is the unwitting star of security gone wild, as camera operators blatantly abuse their position, and stockpiling footage for a Christmas ‘creep’ reel.
If you think no one is watching you, you need to think again. Personal moments are made public for the world to see, and the clips can then be viewed hundreds and thousands of times on YouTube.
“Those people might have expected to be seen by a few people walking by, they would never have expected to end up on Youtube and that does make it a breach of their privacy,” President of the Queensland Council of Civil Liberties Michael Cope said.
While in the wrong hands CCTV vision can be damaging, it remains useful in catching thieves.
At work and at play, closed circuit television monitors our near every move. But how secure is that footage in the hands of someone else?
“The more cameras you have, the more footage you have, the more potential there is for this sort of breach. It is our view that there are far too many of these cameras, and it’s about time we stopped putting them in all over the place,” Cope said.
“We accept there are legitimate uses for cameras in casinos. They’re an important thing to prevent fraud, but they’re not meant for this voyeuristic behavior, and they are certainly not meant to end up on YouTube for everyone to see.”
While we’re developing an increasing distrust of cameras we can see, it’s the ones we can’t see we should be really worried about. Hidden in change rooms, hotels and toilets, cameras have become so sophisticated and accessible they can fit in buttons, pens, watches – they’re even small enough to fit in the head of a screw.
“The penalties of placing a covert camera or a listening device are quite significant across most states in Australia,” surveillance expert Julian Claxton said.
Last week New South Wales police released footage of a man they believe planted a mobile phone in the changing room of a Sydney clothing store.
“Major department stores, retailers, and other similar environments certainly have an obligation to ensure that they are checking change rooms for evidence of any hidden cameras,” Claxton said.
It comes just days after a young Defence Force cadet was accused of planting a mobile phone in a vent above a showering female colleague.
Claxton ‘s company Jayde Consulting conducts sweeps for hidden recording devices, and business is booming.
“The technology that we’re finding in hidden cameras, and particularly also in listening devices, is getting extremely small compared to what it was ten or fifteen years ago,” Claxton explained.
“We need to be considerate of sensible aspects to change rooms. If you see a gaping hole in the ceiling have a good look and just ensure that hole isn’t potentially concealing a camera.”
But even when we can see the camera, who’s watching the watchers, and why should you have to gamble on where your private life will end up?
- Jayde Consulting - jaydeconsulting.com