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Respect personal privacy
2006-09-04
China Daily
Nowadays the seemingly omnipresent "electronic eyes" are meant to protect us from hazardous happenings, but we may feel uncomfortable by the idea that we are being secretly watched every day.
Cameras are now installed inside automatic teller machines, at traffic intersections, inside shopping centres, at workplaces and at many other locations that most of us may not be aware of.
The necessity of these security monitoring cameras cannot be doubted. However, some people may wonder whether they are heading into a modern life in which their every move will be recorded by these cameras, whenever they step out the door of their home.
To address this question, Beijing has drafted a set of rules governing the privacy issue. The Regulations on Beijing Public Security Image Information System Management is already published for public comment. They are expected to become effective later this year.
Formulating these regulations is a timely move. High-tech cameras enable police to catch criminals, however a question mark looms over the legitimacy of some camera operators, such as property managers, and whether the installation of cameras in schools and the workplace are appropriate.
Complaints about privacy being violated by these camera operators are not rarely heard.
Beijing, as a growing metropolis bracing itself for the 2008 Olympics, needs a more sophisticated public security management system.
In upgrading the system, more monitoring cameras may be needed as well as a set of governing rules legalizing the necessary installations while setting limits.
The rules are commendable insisting that any plan to set up cameras in public places must be approved by the public security authorities. This clause prevents people from installing unnecessary cameras at their own sweet will.
The rules forbid placing cameras at points related to people's privacy. They also stipulate that private images should be protected.
Both are crucial clauses but both are not detailed enough.
It is almost certain that disputes would emerge under the current draft proposal, given the clauses' vague definition and the absence of a law for personal information protection.
The drafting of the personal information protection law is already under way. It is our hope that this law would be enacted as soon as possible to deal with this increasingly crucial aspect of our life.
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