Want to stay current on e–commerce law? Sign up for Email Newsletter.
New Video Surveillance Guidelines Issued by Privacy Commissions
The federal, Alberta and British Columbia privacy commissioners jointly released Guidelines for Overt Video Surveillance in the Private Sector on March 6, 2008. The guidelines are intended to respond to the increased use of video surveillance in the private sector but are not intended to apply to covert surveillance (e.g. as conducted by private investigators or employers). The guidelines are aimed at businesses that employ or are considering employing surveillance and are subject to federal PIPEDA or provincial information protection acts in Alberta and British Columbia. Other laws or guidelines may apply in other provinces.
The overriding principle for privacy compliance in a video surveillance context is said to be reasonableness: “it should be used only for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances.”
For a copy of the guidelines, visit:
http://www.privcom.gc.ca/information/guide/2008/gl_vs_080306_e.asp
For additional information, visit: