Councils using body cameras to spy on us...
Alarm over privacy abuse
DOG-WALKERS and motorists are being spied on by council staff using body cameras.
Twenty-three of Scotland’s 32 local authorities have admitted using the devices in a bid to tackle anti-social behaviour, littering, dog fouling, parking violations and violence.
At more than 70 per cent, this is a higher ratio than the 54 per cent of councils using them south of the Border.
Scottish Tory chief whip John Lamont said: ‘It makes sense for council staff to use body cameras, especially if it enhances their protection. However, while people don’t mind this technology being used to tackle violent and serious crime, that doesn’t mean local authorities can abuse them.
‘These cameras were introduced for good reason and it’s critical they are only used on that basis.’
According to documents released under Freedom of Information legislation, Scottish councils have spent almost £300,000 on body cameras in recent years, with 513 bought by local authorities.
Dundee City Council has 67 cameras in use, the most in Scotland, at a cost of £25,460. Aberdeen City Council has 62 (£24,490) and Renfrewshire 51 (£36,098). Other councils using them include City of Edinburgh, Fife, Perth and Kinross, West Lothian, Argyll and Bute and Dumfries and Galloway.
The nine councils not using them include Glasgow City, Highland, Midlothian and North Ayrshire.
Most local authorities using the cameras said they had not carried out privacy impact assessments.
Renate Samson, chief executive of privacy pressure group Big Brother Watch, said: ‘Despite repeated warnings about misuse of surveillance powers, councils are choosing to use powerful law enforcement tools with little consideration of privacy.
‘Using body cameras to protect people’s safety is one thing, but widespread filming of people’s behaviour in order to issue fines is simply not proportionate.’
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said: ‘The cameras are used to record anti-social behaviour and ensure staff safety. Any footage could be passed on to Police Scotland as evidence.
‘The public are made aware when a camera is activated.’