IP Cameras

[Gatt]

We have just purchased 2 IP Cameras for our seclusion unit...
I am being asked to set them up to record between 9am and 3pm.

What i want to know is - what is the legal ground on this - do we have to send a mailler to all parents advising them that their kids will be on camera if sent to seclusion?

[Ric_]

I think that if you erect nice large signs so that all know they are there cameras watching them. A letter home may also be polite... just explaining what the footage will be used for and that only certain members of staff wil have access to it.

[plexer]

If you have live recording cctv systems which I guess includes IP cameras yuo must have warning signs up to comply with the data protection act.

Ben

[SpuffMonkey]

If you have live recording cctv systems which I guess includes IP cameras yuo must have warning signs up to comply with the data protection act.

Ben

Hmmm - are you sure about that?? :?

[plexer]

http://www.chubb.co.uk/chserver/navId/00000200900b

Yup.

Ben

[ticker]

you do. we spoke to a Data protection officer who said that all our internal cameras (10 in total) need signs by each one with the details of someone within college (headteacher) and a contact phone number.

[ICTsupport]

if you have IP cameras for crime prevention, crime detection or to enhance the safety of the public you must have warning signs up to comply with the data protection act.

[projector1]

http://www.chubb.co.uk/chserver/navId/00000200900b

Yup.

Ben

thanks for the link
i have been asked to install a wireless IP based camera, but i will now get advise the department to review the weblink

[Grommit]

you do. we spoke to a Data protection officer who said that all our internal cameras (10 in total) need signs by each one with the details of someone within college (headteacher) and a contact phone number.

Sorry .. this is only for external cameras that face a public area.. internal cameras do not need signs as a sign by entrance is sufficiant

[eduabncs]

I suggest that you go here . It's the the Infomation Commisoners Office website. That will be the definative advice as they are the people in charge of the DPA.

[MK-2]

Not sure if I'm correct, but is it also true that you are not legally allowed to use any sort of sound recording on the camera if it has it. You are only legally allowed to record video footage not audio?

[drewinc]

I would also like to find out about the audio side of things, we have recently installed 32 internal cameras and all have audio capabilities.

[plexer]

CCTV must not be used to record conversations between members of the public as this is highly intrusive and unlikely to be justified. You should choose a system without this facility if possible. If your system comes equipped with a sound recording facility then you should turn this off or disable it in some other way.

There are limited circumstances in which audio recording may be justified, subject to sufficient safeguards. These could include:

* Audio based alert systems (such as those triggered by changes in noise patterns such as sudden shouting). Conversations must not be recorded, and operators should not listen in.
* Two-way audio feeds from ‘help points’ covered by CCTV cameras, where these are activated by the person requiring assistance.
* Conversations between staff and particular individuals where a reliable record is needed of what was said, such as in the charging area of a police custody suite6.
* Where recording is triggered due to a specific threat, e.g. a ‘panic button’ in a taxi cab.

In the limited circumstances where audio recording is justified, signs must make it very clear that audio recording is being or may be carried out.

The use of audio to broadcast messages to those under surveillance should be restricted to messages directly related to the purpose for which the system was established.

* If there is an audio monitoring or recording capability has this been disabled?
* If an audio based alert system is being used are measures in place to prevent conversations being monitored or recorded?
* If there are audio communications with help points, are these initiated by those requiring assistance?
* If a message broadcast facility is used, are the messages limited to those consistent with the original purpose for establishing the system?

Taken from: ICO - CCTV code of practice

I know this is an old thread but it's still relevant.

Ben

[laserblazer]

Sorry .. this is only for external cameras that face a public area

How about external cameras, that only cover the grounds and not public areas?