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Privacy commissioner to probe TTC cameras
Oct 24, 2007 06:50 PM
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ontario's privacy commissioner is launching an investigation into the installation of thousands of security cameras throughout Canada's largest public transit network following a complaint by an international privacy watchdog that the system would violate the privacy of Toronto commuters.
London-based Privacy International filed the complaint with the privacy commissioner this afternoon, disputing the Toronto Transit Commission's claim that the $21-million project would reduce crime levels and terrorism threats, and arguing that transit officials have shown "contempt" for Canadian privacy laws.
"Privacy International believes that the installation of cameras on the scale proposed by the TTC fundamentally violates privacy law," the complaint states.
"In the absence of a compelling case for public safety, the program is unnecessary and disproportionate. It also appears to be inappropriate and a poorly considered used of resources."
The TTC, which provides 1.4 million rides each weekday, is in the process of installing up to 10,000 security cameras in its buses, streetcars and subway system, adding to its current network of about 1,500 cameras.
The system, which was approved by the TTC last spring and is expected to be operational by June, will be capable of snapping photos and recording video – and in some cases, audio – of any of the TTC's daily riders. The federal government kicked in $6.5 million for the project.
TTC chairman Adam Giambrone defended the system today, saying the information is centrally collected and accessible only to police, and that the cameras are part of larger security plan that involves such measures as increasing the number of transit constables.
"We were the last of the major transit authorities in North America and Europe – who are way ahead – to install a major camera program," he said. "So clearly, the consensus out there is that this is a positive."
But the TTC has failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that there is a public-interest justification for the project and has done little to publicize plans for the project before implementing it, the complaint states.
"Very often what happens is that authorities become mesmerized by the technology," Simon Davies, director of Privacy International, said in an interview from London.
"It makes governments look good, it makes public service employees feel that they're on the cutting edge, but the bottom line is that within a year, the crime figures usually return to normal, and the expenditure has gone to waste."
Bob Spence, a spokesman for the Ontario privacy commission, said it's too early to tell what form the investigation may take.
"We're looking at exactly why they're putting up cameras, are they putting up signs so people are aware of the cameras," he said in an interview from Hamilton.
"We'll look at all aspects of the complaint."
Privacy commissioner to probe TTC cameras
Oct 24, 2007 06:50 PM
THE CANADIAN PRESS
Ontario's privacy commissioner is launching an investigation into the installation of thousands of security cameras throughout Canada's largest public transit network following a complaint by an international privacy watchdog that the system would violate the privacy of Toronto commuters.
London-based Privacy International filed the complaint with the privacy commissioner this afternoon, disputing the Toronto Transit Commission's claim that the $21-million project would reduce crime levels and terrorism threats, and arguing that transit officials have shown "contempt" for Canadian privacy laws.
"Privacy International believes that the installation of cameras on the scale proposed by the TTC fundamentally violates privacy law," the complaint states.
"In the absence of a compelling case for public safety, the program is unnecessary and disproportionate. It also appears to be inappropriate and a poorly considered used of resources."
The TTC, which provides 1.4 million rides each weekday, is in the process of installing up to 10,000 security cameras in its buses, streetcars and subway system, adding to its current network of about 1,500 cameras.
The system, which was approved by the TTC last spring and is expected to be operational by June, will be capable of snapping photos and recording video – and in some cases, audio – of any of the TTC's daily riders. The federal government kicked in $6.5 million for the project.
TTC chairman Adam Giambrone defended the system today, saying the information is centrally collected and accessible only to police, and that the cameras are part of larger security plan that involves such measures as increasing the number of transit constables.
"We were the last of the major transit authorities in North America and Europe – who are way ahead – to install a major camera program," he said. "So clearly, the consensus out there is that this is a positive."
But the TTC has failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that there is a public-interest justification for the project and has done little to publicize plans for the project before implementing it, the complaint states.
"Very often what happens is that authorities become mesmerized by the technology," Simon Davies, director of Privacy International, said in an interview from London.
"It makes governments look good, it makes public service employees feel that they're on the cutting edge, but the bottom line is that within a year, the crime figures usually return to normal, and the expenditure has gone to waste."
Bob Spence, a spokesman for the Ontario privacy commission, said it's too early to tell what form the investigation may take.
"We're looking at exactly why they're putting up cameras, are they putting up signs so people are aware of the cameras," he said in an interview from Hamilton.
"We'll look at all aspects of the complaint."
