Today, CCTV cameras are used in various fields for diverse purposes such as crime prevention, facility security and workplace monitoring in both private and public spheres. Of course, they are a very useful means of crime prevention & investigation, facility safety and traffic enforcement. At the same time, they are very controversial in terms of the infringement of privacy such as disclosure of personal information.
It is true that the CCTV cameras were helpful in achieving administrative purposes. However, it is time to come up with a specific solution to their reverse functions. Under current laws, first of all, a privacy protection system is non-systematic. For the consistency and uniformity of regulations on visual information, it is required to execute new rules based on the concept of new personal visual information.
Regarding the CCTV cameras, therefore, it is needed to enact special laws which regulate the entity which is allowed to install the CCTV cameras, installation place, type of equipment, operating method & procedure, control method and supervision method in addition to the current Personal Information Protection Act.
Moreover, it is desirable for the local authority to establish and operate the CCTV cameras through an integrated control center for diverse purposes such as crime prevention and disaster prevention in terms of the development of a social safety network.
However, there has been a rising demand for CCTV cameras among the public agencies. Therefore, it is necessary to take proper measures for privacy protection in the collection and use of personal information, supply of personal information to a third party and establishment of safety.
In addition, there should be a strict control system to check if the CCTV cameras are properly used for legally permitted purposes only by observing the related laws and regulations. In addition, all individuals under the influence of the CCTV cameras should be given the right to freely express their opinions on their operation.
Basically, they should have the right to check the existence of their personal information and read it. Furthermore, they should be able to raise objection and request the editing or deletion of their personal data. To be prepared against any rejection of this kind of request, there should be application for objection and remedy for violation of private right.