Anyone know anything regarding "The Data Protection Act"

The other day i was speaking to someone in the home security profession and i mentioned to him that i have CCTV's around my property.

To which he asked "do you have any signs up displaying that you have" to which i replied no

He then told me that if someone breaks into my house and i had it on film , it would be no good as evidence as there were not any signs on display to warn the so called burglar that the premise's were protected by CCTV and that his human rights would be breached under "The Data Protection Act".........

Crazy or what ........

Just wondering if anyone knew more on this matter ........ ====================================

"Open Mike Night " sounded like a lot of fun until i found out i was going to an Autopsy

that only applies to commercial property, all so the same as if you had a gaurd dog, you dont have to do that on your own home.. film on!! V8 facelift Range Rover Autobiography 22" wheels.
1976 Harley Davidson Iron Head Sportster

The "data protection act" has nothing to do with CCTV. It relates to the protection of personal information held in data storage (on computers etc). There are no regulations on CCTV other than when they directly affect someones privacy ie "voyeurism". You can even have completely covert CCTV and don't have to advertise that fact. The only people that are regulated on that front are the police and other law agencies who are bound by the human rights act.

It sounds like your "expert" has read two or three books then mixed up the words!!

Thank God for that ......... as i did not fancy sticking those stupid signs around the house ....... ====================================

"Open Mike Night " sounded like a lot of fun until i found out i was going to an Autopsy

IMHO You need to look at RIPA, the regulatory investigative powers act, this covers survalance and it's use as evidence. you will also find that the DPA does have some impact insofar as its use as evidence, you do need a sign up teling people that there images may be recorded and used for the detection and prevention of crime, other wise your source is correct you could breech section 8 of the human rights act

RIPA isn't necessary. When I said that law agencies were regulated RIPA is what i was referring to. RIPA relates to the authority required for directed surveillance (ie where you are looking at a specific person) but doesn't apply to CCTV that is used for the prevention of crime or tresspassing. The only slight stretch towards regulating the public is where the act includes some security firms who need a licence under act.

Article 8 would only be relevant if your cameras were looking through other peoples windows. Your burglar is the one breaching your human rights, not the other way around (even in our unbelievably politically correct world!)

I am not aware of any cases where CCTV has not been allowed because of a lack of warning signs, particularly for private individuals. The only ones would be where it was police cctv and they didn't get the correct authorities (ie covert surveillance). But even the police can put up cameras "willy nilly" to prevent or detect crime provided they don't already have a name. Even they don't need signs in that case, and look at public only areas.

In short, the law allows you to protect your property in any way you see fit (short of man traps and shotguns!). It doesn't regulate how or where you put your CCTV so long as it doesn't view into another private area belonging to someone else. I'm also almost positive that you won't end up in the European court of human rights as a result of not putting a sign up!!

I would also imaging, depending on where you live, a dicking great CCTV sign would significantly reduce your house price

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"Open Mike Night " sounded like a lot of fun until i found out i was going to an Autopsy

Whilst there is a lot of truth in what you have said Hoppy, there are some errors in both our statements and I think Mick might benefit from reading the ACOP from the Information Commisioner, the laws in Scotland differ from those of England especially those relating to FOISA.

http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/lib..._final.pdf

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"Open Mike Night " sounded like a lot of fun until i found out i was going to an Autopsy

I am going to check out the laws in Ireland. I was going to put up CCTV in my house. I think there is a lot of grey areas about the hole CCTV thing. I would suggest getting legal advice Mick. Just to know for sure.

Mick

Your home is your castle and you can have CCTV anywhere you like within the environs of your property. The guys earlier mention RIPA, we use that and RIPSA up here but only to keep the Police, Local Authority and other government agencies from becoming Big Brother. The only thing you have to worry about is collateral intrusion and that basically is you gaining private information about others by pointing your camera into places it should not be, i.e. public spaces, neighbours bedroom window etc, etc.

I would advise that you know how to switch it off so that you can smash any thieving little c*$ts head in with a baseball bat when you find him in the living room and then switch it back on to record with the large kitchen knife placed in his lifeless hand for self defence purposes your honour.

RIPA doesn't apply here.


You would 100% be able to use your CCTV if someone committed offences against your property. How ridiculus to suggest otherwise!!

There's a serious mix up with how your friends interpretting it to you.

I use RIPA daily at work so I'm pretty clues on it ! TDV8 HST Sport **Current**

4.4 V8 Autobiography and 22" wheels **Gone**

I would advise that you know how to switch it off so that you can smash any thieving little c*$ts head in with a baseball bat when you find him in the living room and then switch it back on to record with the large kitchen knife placed in his lifeless hand for self defence purposes your honour.

Steve I am with you on this one.

Well thanks for all the replies chaps .....

The person i spoke to is not a mate he was just someone in the security game ......(maybe over zealous in his job)

And the 6 cameras are locked down and pinpointed on strategic areas around the house , so as not to invade any of the neighbours propertys .....

it was just something i never gave any thought about until this Guy said to me ..........

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"Open Mike Night " sounded like a lot of fun until i found out i was going to an Autopsy

Mick

I've just hacked into your bedroom camera...not much happening there .....when's the window cleaner due