Ombudsman creates new privacy rules

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This article was published 14/02/2015 (4064 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

You’re being watched more than ever, and it’s only going to increase.

The rising use of surveillance cameras in public places has prompted Manitoba’s ombudsman to come up with a new list of rules to protect your personal privacy.

“Pretty much everywhere you look these days, more organizations are using video surveillance,” Manitoba ombudsman Mel Holley said. “What we’re doing here is trying to say, ‘Look, everyone is doing this now, but when you do it, think about the implications.’ “

Holley said the new video-surveillance guidelines are only intended for public organizations that are subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) and the Personal Health Information Act. Examples are Winnipeg Transit, which now has camera systems on all of its buses, and the Manitoba Legislative Building, which is seeing the installation of exterior security cameras in the wake of last October’s shooting in Ottawa that took the life of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.

Holley said while the cameras serve a lawful reason, for the most part they record the coming and goings of innocent people.

“They’re probably collecting a lot more information than they need for a legitimate purpose,” he said, adding public agencies are responsible for storing what is recorded without violating individual privacy rights.

“Once you collect that information, you’re responsible for its security and also once you have that information, people have a right to access their information under FIPPA,” he said.

An example would be if a passenger on a city bus got into an altercation with another rider and wanted to pursue an investigation.

“It’s one of those things where we move forward and take advantage of technology, but who’s thinking about how it’s done and whether it’s done properly?” he said.

‘Pretty much everywhere you look these days more organizations are using video surveillance. What we’re doing here is trying to say, “Look, everyone is doing this now, but when you do it, think about the implications” ‘ — Manitoba ombudsman Mel Holley

The new video-surveillance guidelines set several considerations for public organizations on the installation of a new surveillance system or the modification or expansion of an existing system.

They include demonstrating the need for video surveillance versus less intrusive options, how the information will be stored and notifying the public a surveillance system is in operation.

“Security is always a big reason for doing this, and that’s fine — that’s a legitimate reason for doing it,” Holley said. “What we’re talking about is, ‘OK, so you had a good reason for doing it. What do you do with it now? You own that information. You’re responsible for it.’ “

The full guidelines are available for download on the Manitoba ombudsman’s website.

Holley said any public-surveillance system must be carefully planned and implemented.

“One of the issues that’s recognized internationally is that this information never dies,” Holley said.

bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca