Pressure from Canada’s privacy commissioner has prompted authorities to post signs about the extra camera surveillance on Parliament Hill, in the nation’s capital, Ottawa. The commissioner is appointed by the government as an advocate for the privacy rights of all Canadians and she reports directly to the House of Commons.
New video cameras have been posted near entrances on the boulevard in front of the Parliament Buildings, bringing the number from 50 to 134. They monitor the entrances and the large piece of land which is traditionally a venue for protests and rallies.
Initially, there was a deliberate plan to not post signs notifying people of the enhanced video surveillance. However now there are signs that read: “24 hour video surveillance for security of the grounds.”
Recordings should not be kept: privacy watchdog
The privacy commissioner also suggested that video recordings made by the cameras be “retained for the minimal amount of time necessary to fulfil the limited purpose of the Parliament Hill surveillance.”
Her office also flagged concerns about any plans to incorporate new features into the surveillance system, such as audio monitoring, facial recognition, subject tracking or motion detection. Before changes are made, the commissioner would expect an assessment of the privacy implications.
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