Hidden Camera and Surveillance Laws Outside of the US

Every country has its own privacy and surveillance laws. You will want to check your local laws regarding hidden cameras and other covert surveillance before installing your new equipment.

This article will give a brief overview of the applicable laws in a few of the home countries of our most frequent international visitors.

Canada

In Canada, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) generally require a person’s consent before video or audio recording them in a commercial or business situation.

The consent can either be expressly given (either orally or in writing) or it can be implied (such as clearly posting notice of the surveillance or advising callers of the recording of calls).

There are specific procedures outlined in PIPEDA which must be followed for a legal recording. If you plan to record calls or conversations with customers or clients, you should consult PIPEDA for its particulars.

PIPEDA also applies to workplace/employee surveillance situations. Pursuant to PIPEDA, an employer must usually advise its employees of any personal information it is collecting from them and why it is collecting the information.

This can include video surveillance, phone monitoring, keystroke recording and email review. An employer should only collect information necessary to the employer’s stated purpose in collecting it.

An individual (as opposed to a business) can record conversations with the consent of one party to a conversation. If you are taking part in the conversation yourself, the consent can come from you.

With regard to video surveillance, Canada has passed a video voyeurism law, making it a crime to surreptitiously observe or record a person who has a reasonable expectation of privacy in the circumstances and is or is expected to be nude or partially nude or involved in sexual activity.

You can’t legally place cameras in bathrooms or locker rooms. You can’t legally set up a camera to record in your roommate’s bedroom.

Keep in mind that, in addition to federal laws in Canada, your home province may also have privacy, surveillance and/or voyeurism laws which should be reviewed as well.

United Kingdom

Public surveillance cameras (also known as closed circuit TV - or CCTV) have been in heavy use in Britain for over thirty years. It has been suggested that there are more CCTV cameras in use in the U.K. than anywhere else in the world.

The Data Protection Act of 1998 (DPA) covers use of CCTV surveillance cameras in the U.K. It does not, however, apply to individuals who might use cameras for personal or household uses - just to businesses.

Individuals using such cameras must still make sure that they are not breaking British voyeurism laws by peeping into private spaces - these are similar to voyeurism laws in Canada and the U.S.

The Information Commissioner’s Office has issued DPA guidelines for businesses using CCTV monitoring. There must be visible signs indicating that the cameras are in use on the premises and the cameras must be placed in spots which allow the best images but avoid recording people outside of the business premises.

The images recorded must be securely stored and not provided to anyone other than those responsible for the monitoring in the business and to law enforcement. Check with the ICO for any other requirements your business may have regarding video surveillance.

If cameras are used to monitor workers, they must not be installed anywhere deemed private, such as toilets or private offices.

The ICO suggests that workers should generally be told they are being surveilled but says that covert or hidden monitoring may be acceptable if it is an exceptional situation and the employer intends to involve law enforcement in the investigation.

In the U.K., you should also consider whether or not your planned surveillance complies with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA), which covers the monitoring of electronic communication.

RIPA allows individuals to secretly record conversations for their own use. It only becomes illegal if the recording is made available to someone else.

If the person doing the recording plans to use the recorded conversation in court or plans to disclose the recording in any way, he will have to get consent from the person he is recording. There are a few exceptions to the basic RIPA requirements for businesses.

A business may record a conversation without anyone’s consent to provide evidence of a business transaction, to prove regulatory compliance, to prevent or detect a crime, for national security or secure effective operation of a phone network. For any other purpose, the company must get the consent of the person being recorded.

Similar to the ICO’s guidelines on the use of CCTV to monitor employees by video, RIPA guidelines suggest the electronic monitoring - email, telephone calls and such - of employees should also be overt and as non-intrusive as necessary to meet the goal of the surveillance.

For example, companies that routinely record phone calls in the regular course of business should provide their employees with a way to make necessary personal calls that are not recorded.

The Home Office and the ICO have issued helpful guidelines and checklists for businesses to use when considering video or other surveillance.

Other European Union Nations

Over the last ten years or so, the European Union (EU) has issued directives to its members regarding human rights and data protection. The result has been legislation in each country which complies with the basic directives. The British laws described above are good examples.

Without investigating the laws of each European country here, it is safe to say that they all have similar laws to the laws passed in Britain regarding monitoring and surveillance.

As always however, you should review the laws applicable in your own country and province and/or consult with a lawyer.

The newest surveillance technology can be a wonderful help in a difficult personal situation. It can also help you keep your business running smoothly and profitably. But it can also be misused and cause you some pretty serious legal headaches if you don’t understand the applicable laws before using it.

So, if you’ve decided to purchase some fantastic new monitoring equipment, take a quick look at your surveillance and privacy laws before you press the “record” button - do your monitoring the right way and you just might save yourself a lot of trouble in the end!



Thanks to Sharon Macdonald for contributing this article to our Surveillance blog:

Sharon Macdonald is a retired teacher and high-tech security specialist. She is an expert in Audio & Video Surveillance Equipment and techniques. See what she recommends to protect your family in her blog



Cell Phone Gps Tracking

Digital Video Surveillance Systems: They Watch

Have you ever felt watched? No, don’t dismiss that feeling as paranoia. Maybe you are being watched. In light of recent tragedies - terrorist attacks, illegal activities, and the onslaught of crime, petty or otherwise, people from both the public and private sector have been obsessively setting up digital video surveillance systems everywhere possible. These days, it’s almost impossible to enter a building or even stand on the sidewalk of a busy street without being under surveillance.

Video Surveillance with Hot Fudge, Please

Digital video surveillance systems are designed as a security measure to apprehend criminals, and maybe even act as a deterrent to crime. There are several digital video surveillance systems available nowadays and choosing the right one can be like a trip to Baskin and Robbins - you simply don’t know which flavor to pick. Digital video surveillance systems also come with hefty price tags, so before you waste time shopping for a system, make sure you can actually afford it.

The most common digital video surveillance system is the lowly webcam. You’re probably thinking that it doesn’t make a very good surveillance system and you’re right. It doesn’t. If you’ve seen the movie American Pie, however, you know it can be done. It does not stop there, though. Digital video surveillance systems can be a complex labyrinth of wires, cameras, and monitors, so whatever you do, don’t attempt to set it up yourself. Contact a reputable company that specializes in digital video surveillance systems. Otherwise, you’ll do no better than Jim and his pie.

A Star with CCTV Systems

You’ve probably heard of CCTV systems, or closed circuit television systems. This is just an example of a digital video surveillance system and is probably the most popular, too. In the days of yore, CCTV systems were grainy and in black and white, and have brought about many a case of mistaken identity. Recent developments, however, have since improved the quality of CCTV systems, and all digital video surveillance systems for that matter. You can now be watched in full color on high-tech LCD monitors while you rob a bank or steal your neighbor’s underpants.

Video and Voyeurism

Virtually unheard of just 15 years ago, night vision security cameras are now the talk of the town. Don’t let the name fool you. This type of digital video surveillance system is no night owl. It works as well in daylight as it does at night. For the voyeur who is looking for material for a reality television show, DVR, or digital video recorder, surveillance is just the thing for your viewing pleasure. With DVR surveillance, you can save your footage and watch it as you please. It’s almost like recording your favorite television show on the VCR. If you or a family member is clumsy, you can minimize wiring-induced accidents by investing on a wireless home security system. You’re not only safe from crime; you get to keep all your limbs.

So before you surreptitiously scratch an itch on your privates or floss your teeth with your hair, you might want to think twice and wait until you’re in the safety of a rest room. Come to think about it, rest rooms might not be safe anymore so you might want to wait before you get to your own house. If you’re lucky, nobody has set up surveillance there yet.



Thanks to Nahshon Roberts for contributing this article to our Surveillance blog:
Curious how digital video surveillance systems work? Check out Video-Surveillance-Guide.com now and read more about the best security cameras in the market today, among them wireless home security cameras.



Wireless Home Surveillance System

An Overview of GPS Tracking System

Has technology transformed humankind into omniscient beings? Know more about the powers you could acquire through systems . The Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system is a network of satellites orbiting the earth, which transmits location data back to earth ceaselessly. Using these data and GPS tracking devices, you can pinpoint any object on the earth. For example, GPS vehicle tracking system or GPS fleet tracking system can point out where your stolen vehicle is or where your ship sails at present.

Main uses of GPS technology are as follows: Location—The first and foremost palpable application of GPS system is the simple determination of a “position” or location; Navigation—The primary design of GPS tracking system was to provide navigation information for ships and planes; Tracking—With the accurate data provided by the system, monitoring mobile objects or people is not difficult task anymore; Mapping—GPS can help in creating maps and models of everything in the planet. Mapping the earth had never been an easier task; Timing—GPS satellites carry highly accurate atomic clocks, and GPS tracking devices here on the ground when synchronized with those in the satellites are themselves atomic accuracy clocks providing accurate time.

Benefits of GPS fleet tracking systems

Real-time GPS fleet tracking is used when there is a need for fleet management throughout the day or when your top priority is customer service. Using real-time vehicle tracking system, a dispatcher can locate the fleet is within minutes and redirect a driver to a new destination in the same area thereby saving time, energy and money. You can verify and optimize the productivity of your employees through GPS fleet tracking system.

By fixing GPS tracking devices to your vehicles, you can even monitor the driving habits of your children. As no location is too remote for GPS tracking system across the planet, a stolen car in a remote area is no more an object of mystery. Thus providing an effective anti theft system is now a reality. Disaster management and emergency services are very much dependent on GPS tracking system for location and timing capabilities in their life-saving missions.

Defects in GPS tracking system

The more satellites a GPS tracking device can read, the more precise the results you will get. Unfortunately a satellite signal is likely to slow down as it passes through rough weather. Signal reception can also be blocked by buildings, electronic interference, terrain and even foliage so GPS tracking systems cannot operate underwater or underground. Geometrical position of satellites play an important role in providing precise information a slight variation can produce inaccurate information. Finally as the saying goes “To err is human”; Man made wonders do have their black spots so errors also can occur when the satellite simply provides inaccurate information.

GPS technology now within your reach

Every invention is intended to benefit the humankind. It is the responsibility of the people to know and utilize these comforts. Service providers offer a wide range of products for civilian use. To avail this luxury, you need to approach a service provider who can offer you the kind of service you may need regarding GPS tracking system.



Thanks to ken Rodge for contributing this article to our Surveillance blog:

www.liveviewgps.com site offers a products related to the real time GPS vehicle tracking,
GPS tracking , GPS monitoring and management for vehicles, assets, equipment, property and persons.



Car Gps Tracking

Home surveillance system - Get Unlimited Info About The Best Surveillance System

Have the interest of protecting your house with surveillance systems? Go ahead n grasp the concept of the technology. You can make a choice from a variety of surveillance systems and learn a lot about them. Most of them are not that hard to monitor or install if a proper guide is there to help you.

You can try as hard as you want but you will definitely not be able to ask all the right and proper questions and complete your aims without finding yourself overwhelmed by possibility. Also there are many other alternatives and other questions arising in your mind for a surveillance system at home. It will be easy to select the type that will prove to be good for you if you really know what their offer is and the one that will be the best for you.

Several electronic devices types and closed circuit televisions are becoming very common nowadays and they are also much easier to operate. They also easily fit into your budget and nowadays they are becoming popular among the homeowners. The idea of the closed circuit system is to let you know that the camera picks up those signals that are not broadcasted through the air instead they are directly to the monitor and it can be virtually seen anytime anywhere.

If you get to learn more about the basic concept of home surveillance system you will make more sense about that language when you are involved in a conversation with a salesman and other persons of trade. At the same time if you are not familiar with the system or technology you would not get to know what the salesman or the persons who are involved in trade talk about when you are actually inquiring about home surveillance systems. So, you must always make an effort to learn a lot more about the subjects and terms of the surveillance system. If you are going to keep that simple it will get a lot easier than you think.

It is the responsibility of the camera to display all the images captured or on the monitor and you must know this first. The camera’s performance might vary according to the component’s quality that are being used, the overall camera’s performance and the amount of reflected light available on that area you’re surveying. Some of the cameras are very high in quality whereas some of them can be of very poor in quality and can lack proper direction.

The quality of home surveillance system will however depend upon the area of that chain which is the weakest.

That way, you need not worry about bad quality and you will be able to get very good display images. If you have great interest in this field and do a research for comparison, you might even get a quality without any flaws at a very reasonable price.

When you are selecting a surveillance system that you’ll be using at home, you must always have some time to compare and research about it. If the home surveillance’s concepts are well understood by you, then it’s a very easy task for you to select the components and equipments.

For you to take the right decision, it’s necessary for you to find certain area of surveillance system like the signal of the video that is sent to the monitor, lighting, sensitivity, resolution and illumination. This is the exact way by which you can get your surveillance system to protect your home at an affordable price.



Thanks to Abhishek Agarwal for contributing this article to our Surveillance blog:

Abhishek is a Home Security expert and he has got some great Home Security Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 104 Pages Ebook, “Home Security Made Easy!” from his website http://www.Survival-Today.com/116/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.



Surveillance Tips

do I need permission from the council to install CCTV at the front of my home?

Can you answer Hit the ground running’s question about Surveillance?:

The camera will be facing onto the main road outside my home (covering my car), it will not be pointing at any of my neighbours homes or gardens but it will cover a portion of the main street outside my home..will I need permission from my local council?.Thanks.
UK.England..thanks again.

Wireless Remote Surveillance

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