Europe warns of video surveillance threat to freedoms

Story link: Europe warns of video surveillance threat to freedoms by Jan Harris

The Council of Europe’s European Commission for Democracy through Law, also known as the Venice Commission, has warned that video surveillance of public places, by public operators, is a threat to the fundamental rights to respect for private life and freedom of movement.

The Commission recommends that member states should indicate the zones being filmed, even if they are under surveillance as a matter of public-security.

It also advises nations to set up independent watchdogs to guarantee that surveillance systems are installed lawfully.

Systems should be in line with the requirements of the European Convention on Human Rights and the international texts governing the gathering and protection of data.

The Venice Commission recommends that anyone who has been filmed by a CCTV system should be allowed access to the data collected and should also be informed of the use to which it is put.

The Venice Commission advises the Council of Europe on constitutional matters. It has 48 member States.