Your CCTV System Might Be Illegal This Morning

You know that the clocks changed on Sunday morning, don’t you? Of course you do, but nevertheless we all still seem to be ignoring the legal requirements placed on anyone operating a CCTV system that captures members of the public.

Click here to view Figure 1.

So yes, we did all remember to change the clocks in our houses — the mantelpiece clock, the cooker, the boiler timer, the bedside clock radio, wrist watches, etc.

And then when we got in to work we went around changing the clocks on the walls.

But what happens to the more important timepieces? Like those on IT systems that need accurate times; on transport systems for buses, trains, and planes; or in radio and TV where we check the time? Time is pretty important there. Do we think they take a softly, softly approach to changing their clocks?

So it would seem that these types of outfits take the case of time-change a lot more seriously than you do your basic clocks around the office.

Now suppose that it is not just important to do from a business point of view. Let us now introduce the fact that in some cases making sure that time is correct is a legal requirement.

That is the position that the great majority of video surveillance systems in the UK find themselves in. Did your company think about what was required with respect to the time on your surveillance system before yesterday morning? Did you allocate a specific resource responsible for ensuring your CCTV’s time is correct, and therefore compliant with data protection legislation?

Now that you are reading this, ask yourself right now:

• Has the clock on the CCTV system been changed?
• Who is responsible for checking that it has been changed?
• Who was allocated the responsibility in advance?
• How long would it normally take to realise that the clock has not been changed?
• Does anyone know HOW to change the clock?
• Even if you pay for an automated clock, have you checked that it is accurate?

Don’t forget, while you read this you have already and continue to rely on that CCTV system perhaps as much as a staff member or a member of the public.

So the point that I am making? Well to be honest not many organisations change their clocks because they have a legal obligation to do it. They do it and many of them do it very quickly and very efficiently because it is very important to their businesses.

But with CCTV there is a legal obligation. This is probably one of the few areas where the changing of the clock has a legal impact, so you would think that the people who have to change the CCTV clocks would know all about it.

Horrifically the exact opposite is the case. The CCTV clock is one of the last things people think of. Those responsible for the surveillance system do not understand the importance of the accuracy of the clock and their legal obligation.

Can you imagine the damage to the reputation to video surveillance if CCTV evidence were thrown out of court because the operator could not even get the time right on the system? If the CCTV system showed an hour out when the crime was committed the accused could prove that they were elsewhere?

Can you imagine that same scenario and the thoughts of the victim who was relying on the CCTV evidence? A sophisticated system that showed the incident in full colour, in high definition and even had the date and time. What could possibly stop the accused being found guilty? Just because someone did not take the time seriously enough.

This affects all the CCTV systems — all over the UK, big and small, public and private.

The public expect that CCTV system to be running, working, and protecting them. And let’s be honest, did you ever think that changing a clock could have such an impact?

The clock is just a tiny part of what is really a common sense requirement to be compliant with data protection. Any doubts then, contact CameraWatch, who are independent and not-for-profit. Let’s just get it right. For the sake of video surveillance and the public.

Oh and now that you’ve finished reading this, on your way to heading for the bacon butty and cup of tea — have a wee check on the time on the CCTV system. It could make a huge difference.