Controversial web scheme could be illegal

Steve Hayes

12 February 2010

A CONTROVERSIAL website which offers cash rewards for catching criminals by watching CCTV live on the internet could be banned before it has even launched.
The Internet Eyes website was supposed to launch in Stratford last November but faced delays and it has now emerged the Information Commissioner is probing the company because it may be illegal.
The headline-grabbing scheme would allow web-users to become the eagle-eyes of shopkeepers across the country with prizes of up to £1,000 if a user's suspicions turn out to be justified.
But the Information Commissioner's Office said posting images of people on the internet for all to see may be in breach of the Data Protection Act.
A number of business have already signed up for the scheme which charges them £20 a month to have their camera feeds monitored by its members who text in if they spot something untoward.
Users are given points based on whether their suspicion is justified and compete in a league for a monthly prize of £1,000.
The idea was launched by Stratford IT specialists James Woodward and David Steele and former Henley restaurateur Tony Morgan last year and sparked immediate controversy.
They claimed it would revolutionise the war on shoplifting but various pressure groups accused the scheme of privatising a 'surveillance state' and Stratford District Council immediately distanced itself from the scheme.
And this week the Information Commissioner's Office told the Observer they had held meetings with the founders and shopkeepers concerned.
Jonathan Bamford, assistant Information Commissioner, said: "Organisations operating CCTV systems need to make sure that they comply with the Data Protection Act and only use the images for limited proper purposes. CCTV operators should use appropriately trained staff to monitor images.
"If a CCTV system is established to help prevent and detect crime, it would be appropriate to disclose images to law enforcement agencies where a crime needs to be investigated. However, it is not appropriate to disclose images of identifiable individuals for entertainment purposes or to place them on the internet.
"The ICO has been in contact with the CCTV operators and the organisation behind the scheme, including a meeting in December, and they have responded to the points raised. We are reviewing this response to assess whether the scheme complies with requirements."
A statement on the company's website said: "Due to further stipulations arising with the ICO we are delaying launch until these items are dealt with and approved.
"We take the ICO's views very seriously and are keen to work within their guidelines. We'll keep you up-to-date with progress."

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