Letter: CCTV's limits

YOUR article (25 April) regarding the use of CCTV in school toilets requires clarification.
By The Newsroom
Published 28th Apr 2011, 18:21 BST
Updated 28th Apr 2011, 21:36 BST

The use of CCTV by schools must conform with the Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA) which is regulated by the Information Commissioner's Office. Operators should abide by our CCTV Code of Practice which provides guidance on how to gather, store and release CCTV images of individuals.

Whilst we welcome the fact that parents, staff and pupils are to be consulted about the installation of any proposed system, the use of CCTV in school toilets should only be considered in the most exceptional circumstances and on a case-by-case basis. A blanket approach, such as is implied in the article, is not acceptable and is likely to breach data protection requirements.

Ken Macdonald

Assistant Commissioner Information Commissioner's Office,

Edinburgh

Related topics:CCTVOperatorsEdinburgh