Does The Use Of CCTV Represent An Attack On The Right To Privacy - Case Study Example

How Far Do You Agree With The Claim That The Use Of CCTV Represents An Attack On The Right To Privacy? Introduction Closed Circuit Television is used to minimize crime rate. They are intended to catch the robbers on the video. However, crime analysts say that criminals choose a spot which is out the range of the CCTV camera. Apart from inspecting robberies, CCTV camera is also used by employers or clerks to keep a check on the performance of the staff. The application of CCTV camera is dominant in UK. The current ratio depicts that there is one CCTV camera for every fourteen people in the United Kingdom. The 4.5 million estimated figure of the CCTV camera is likely to increase with advancement in technology ‎(Nouwt, et al 2005 91). ‎. In UK the CCTV camera is found almost everywhere. The main rights regarding CCTV are contained within the DATA PROTECTED ACT 1988. The act makes sure that the footage recorded is reasonable and should not be widely available. However, these laws are generally applicable on businessmen and organizations. Such laws do not deal with the domestic property. It is important that people appreciate this difference ‎(Matchett 2002 160). ‎ Thesis Statement The use of CCTV has enabled residents to monitor their property. It is a useful device in deterring crime. However, its application should not violate the rights to privacy. Argument 1- Beneficial for the people In any case the use of CCTV is perfectly legal. However, care has to be taken with its use. Primarily anyone who installs CCTV is due to security reasons. People keep a check to prevent intruders form tress-passing or breaking into their homes and this is unduly legal. They feel safer with the installation of CCTV (Kleinig, et al 2011 94). Supporting details The use of CCTV can be very useful as it provides coverage of any crime scene that might have occurred outside home. In some parts of the United Kingdom the CCTV camera are being switched off like in Tyenside flat. This is because the cameras are suspected to violate privacy laws. Since a long period the people of Maytree house, Elsewick and Newcastle are able to keep an eye on people who step near their door. However, in present situation the Homes Your Newcastle says that CCTV camera are breaking laws concerning privacy as some residents might save the footage on the cassettes or digital recorders (Kleinig, et al 2011 94). This news has worried the residents of Maytree house as they were dependent on CCTV to monitor visitors and report any crime scene that might take place in the neighborhood. The residents advocate the use of CCTV as it gives them a sense of security. Although security issues matters most for the aged residents but it is one of the issues because of which people move as said by Carol Telfrod who is of 49. She also says that it is unwise to abandon cameras as they cover merely the door step and the clarity of the picture is also poor (Agre and Rotenberg 1998 152). Counterarguments However, it is dubious to claim that all impacts of CCTV on the society are positive. Some people feel that they are monotonously being watched. The adverse effect of CCTV may include people becoming victims of paranoia, the feeling that an attack may occur. Sometimes the cameras are also placed at places where private activities of the people could also be seen. This practice has met many controversies. For instance, in 2010 the cameras were installed in Chelmesly Wood School whereas the parents and the children were uninformed about the installation ‎(Savvas 2012). ‎ Refutation The people were greatly disappointed. They characterized the scenario as an invasion to their children privacy. Some students might not even use toilets of the fear from being monitored. However, the Civil liberties state that UK is upbringing a generation of children who are habitual of being monitored. Hence the negative psychological effects are temporary. The people who are new to CCTV might initially feel being watched or monitored but subsequently they’ll get used to of it. Adapting to the world of CCTV won’t be an issue for the generation Y as they are acquainted with the camera from the beginning (Matchett 2002 160). The law of using CCTV is broken if for instance the camera is pointing at someone else’s property. These cases usually occur in neighborhood. If the camera is suspected to cover all or a part of the neighbor’s property then they can file a case under the laws governed by Human Right Act. They can easily say that their privacy has been violated. They can involve police to reach a conclusion which might require modification in the camera if necessary (Durham 2012 1). Argument 2 ‎- Use Of CCTV Makes a Difference On Crime The citizens of UK seem to have an unshakable trust on CCTV in providing them security. But does the statistic supports it. No, it doesn’t. Supporting details The Home Office research depicts no significant difference in the crime rate. The research shows that only 14% of any crime scene caught on the CCTV results in an arrest. Even the Metropolitan police have remarked the use of CCTV as inefficient in countering crime rate. An evaluation on the importance of CCTV shows that it has no success in burglary, thefts of and from the motor vehicles and criminal damage in town centers (Mick 2012 1). However there is a reduction in property crime with the aid of CCTV. CCTV helps in reducing the harm as the police officers are systematically distributed at the scene of incident (Phillips 1999 156). CCTV is also seen as cost-effective means of reducing crime. It aids the police men in finding the criminals and serves as sound evidence. The wide use of CCTV will also discourage the criminals to commit any act that breaks the law. It is assumed that CCTV might show positive results with respect to minimizing crime rate, if advanced mechanism is in cooperated in the device (Phillips 1999 156). Counterarguments Not all the people agree with this impression that the crimes would be combated through the use of CCTV camera. It is often argued that the crime rate has not shown any significant decline in the cities and places where CCTV cameras are installed. Though it is widely accepted that the CCTV cameras help a lot during the investigation of the crime but it is not accepted that the crimes could be reduced using these cameras and people would become able to enjoy safer life and activities because there are no statistics or data that shows reduction in the crime rate or change in the crime trend as a result of the use of CCTV cameras (Nouwt, et al 2005 91). ‎ Refutation The camera would be able to identify a crime by the special postures of the criminal preceding the crime scene. However at present, no data or statistics proves or supports CCTV as an effective tool in preventing crime. The CCTV might play an important role as a deterrent but that to for a certain period ‎(Kleinig, et al 2011 94). ‎ Conclusion The CCTV is highly acknowledgeable in UK. The residents claim that it provides them with better security. They are able to monitor visitors who pass by their homes. In this way they protect their property and homes from being trespassed by the intruders. Not only is CCTV installed outside home but at various other places such as mall where the clerks assess the performance of their staff by watching them on the screen. However, the cameras should not violate an individual’s right to privacy ‎(Nouwt, et al 2005 91). ‎ The CCTV cameras are capable of recording the routine activity of innocent people. Hence it is considered as invading the right to privacy. People who are installing camera outside home should assure that it doesn’t points out at the neighbor property as then it will infringe neighbor’s right to privacy. This is regarded as a miss use of the device and raises the arguments against the use of CCTV camera. The CCTV is said to have adverse psychological effects but those are short-lived and will erode as people will become accustomed of CCTV camera ‎(Phillips 1999 156). ‎ On the other hand if CCTV cameras are a danger to an individual’s rights to privacy then why are they widely used in UK? Do their use have dwindle the crime rate? The answer remains no. The statistics depicts that CCTV is in effective in fighting crimes. Any how it does help in collecting evidence against the criminal. The CCTV has shown to prove its worth as a deterrent and in decreasing property crime. But even that fear of crime fades out with the passage of time ‎(Kleinig, et al 2011 94). ‎ There might be alternatives or substitute to CCTV. People suggested that the camera should be replaced with an increased number of policemen on the go. Even then the British government will not cease its attempt of surveillance whether it infringes the right to privacy or not. The ordinary citizen in Britain has gained access to monitor their own security with the aid of CCTV. The device has its pros and cons but with adequate regulation and accountability it will not violate the rights to privacy of a person. However, the device is considered to be ineffective in countering crime rate but with advancement in technology it might influence reduction in crime. References Agre, P., and Rotenberg, M. (1998). Technology and Privacy: The New Landscape. NJ: MIT Press Durham, J. (2012). What can we do about a neighbor’s CCTV camera? Retrieved online from http://www.problemneighbours.co.uk/what-can-we-do-about-neighbours-cctv-camera.html Kleinig, J., et al (2011). Security and Privacy: Global Standards for Ethical Identity Management in Contemporary Liberal Democratic States. London: ANU E Press Matchett, A. (2002). CCTV for Security Professionals. London: Butterworth-Heinemann Mick, J. (2012). UK privacy commission orders Big Brother out of Taxis. Retrieved online from http://www.dailytech.com/UK+Privacy+Commission+Orders+Big+Brother+Out+of+Taxis/article25259.htm Nouwt, S., De Vries, B. and Prins, C. (2005). Reasonable Expectations of Privacy? Eleven Country Reports on Camera Surveillance And Workplace Privacy. UK: Cambridge University Phillips, C. (1999). ‘A review of CCTV evaluations: crime reduction effects and attitudes to its use’. In: Painter, Kate and Tilley, Nick, (eds.) Surveillance of public space: CCTV, street lighting and Crime Prevention, crime prevention studies. Crime prevention studies, Vol. 1. Criminal Justice Press, Monsey, NY, pp. 123-156 Savvas, C. (2012). Chelmsley Wood School puts CCTV in pupil toilets. Retrieved online from http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/midlands-news/2010/03/07/chelmsley-wood-school-puts-cctv-in-pupil-toilets-66331-25977824/ Read More