To Prevent the Harms of 'Big Brother' and Become a Symbol of Trust [Founding Project - Distrust Society and CCTV③]

Excellent Safety Accident and Crime Prevention Effects
But Unauthorized Leakage and Personal Information Damage Also Follow
Experts Say "Thorough Management Is Important to Gain CCTV Trust"

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is used in various aspects of daily life, including crime prevention. However, some express concerns about privacy invasion caused by CCTV. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Editor's NoteA society where trust is disappearing. As time passes, the phenomenon of people across various social strata being unable to trust each other is intensifying. Although this country has achieved rapid economic growth at an unprecedented global pace, the economic prosperity, which is distinctly different from the past, has not played a role in washing away the distrust toward one another. Therefore, many argue that more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras should be installed to closely monitor every corner of society. Recently, the incident involving the death of Son Jeong-min, who was drinking with friends by the Han River, and occasional accidents occurring in places such as daycare centers and operating rooms have strengthened calls for expanding CCTV installation. However, there are also considerable voices that CCTV will not only serve positive roles such as resolving unjust situations or preventing crimes. The concern is that it could become a 'Big Brother' that indiscriminately invades privacy and monitors individuals in real time. On the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of our publication, we present various voices from the field regarding CCTV in our society.

[Asia Economy Reporters Kang Ju-hee, Kim Cho-young, Kim So-young] #Office worker Kim (27) recently discovered a closed-circuit television (CCTV) inside the Pilates studio she attends. Since there was originally no CCTV, Kim felt puzzled but had no choice but to start exercising once the class began. Although she could not tell if her image was being recorded by the CCTV, Kim felt uneasy throughout the workout. The studio had not provided any separate explanation about the CCTV. Right after the class ended, Kim asked the studio about the purpose of the CCTV and was told it was installed for theft prevention, emergency response, and fire prevention.

CCTV has now become an essential tool in many aspects of our daily lives. It is used effectively to secure clues for tracking various crimes, inspect facilities, and prevent accidents, thereby maintaining social safety and order. Due to these benefits, many citizens empathize with the necessity of CCTV. However, as the importance of personal privacy grows, concerns about human rights violations caused by CCTV are also increasing.

As in Kim’s case, CCTV unknowingly penetrates personal private spaces. It means that someone could watch one’s image or track their location and movements without their knowledge.

Currently, CCTV operation follows the management standards under the 'Personal Information Protection Act concerning the installation and operation of video information processing devices (CCTV).' According to this, CCTV installation and operation are permitted in public places for purposes such as crime prevention and investigation, facility safety, and fire prevention. Installing CCTV inside exercise facilities, as in Kim’s case, is not an illegal act.

However, administrators must install notice boards that include the purpose, location, filming range, and time of CCTV installation so that individuals can easily recognize the CCTV. Violations may result in fines of up to 10 million KRW.

Additionally, administrators must take necessary measures to ensure the security of personal information to prevent loss, theft, leakage, forgery, alteration, or damage. Providing CCTV footage to third parties without the consent of the individual may result in imprisonment of up to five years or fines up to 50 million KRW under the Personal Information Protection Act.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) notice on the building ceiling. Photo by Yonhap News

The problem is that these provisions are often not well observed in real life. Numerous recent cases have involved installing CCTV in spaces where privacy could be infringed or failing to comply with CCTV installation and management regulations, violating the law.

The Personal Information Protection Commission (PIPC) imposed fines and corrective measures on 23 businesses in April for infringing personal information through CCTV. The violations included ▲ installing and operating CCTV in places such as restrooms where privacy could be compromised, ▲ failure to install 'CCTV recording in progress' notice boards, and ▲ omission of required items such as filming range and administrator information as stipulated by the Personal Information Protection Act.

The PIPC pointed out that while the need for personal information protection is significant due to the widespread use of CCTV in society, many CCTV operators are unaware of their obligations under the Personal Information Protection Act.

There have also been cases where CCTV footage was distributed without consent. In 2019, a controversy arose over privacy invasion when CCTV footage containing the personal schedule of Jungkook from the famous idol group BTS was leaked. Recently, in an online community of study cafe operators, photos of customers captured on CCTV were posted along with gossip, showing that unauthorized distribution of CCTV footage still occurs.

The Personal Information Protection Commission imposed fines and corrective measures on 23 businesses that violated personal information through CCTV last April. / Photo by Yonhap News

Consequently, concerns have emerged that CCTV might be excessively abused, focusing too much on crime prevention and similar purposes. There is criticism that public interest could overshadow issues of personal privacy infringement.

Experts emphasize that while the benefits of CCTV installation are clear, thorough management must come first to gain public trust.

Professor Lee Soo-jung of the Department of Criminal Psychology at Kyonggi University said, "CCTV contributes excellently as a supplementary tool for crime prevention. However, as illegal filming footage increases, there remain risk zones that require caution. A trustworthy management system for CCTV is necessary. Detailed regulations should be established on how to dispose of footage stored for a certain period, and management institutions must be made aware of these rules."

She also stressed the need to consider whether CCTV installation excessively restricts individual behavior. Professor Noh Jin-chul, Emeritus Professor of Sociology at Kyungpook National University, said, "CCTV is naturally necessary for accessing various materials when crimes occur. However, there is a tendency to install CCTV indiscriminately without considering human rights. Abusing CCTV could mean viewing people as potential criminals. This is dangerous as it could degenerate into a means of social control. The primary purpose of CCTV installation should not be crime investigation."

Professor Oh Yoon-sung of the Department of Police Administration at Soonchunhyang University emphasized, "The benefits and losses of installing CCTV should be carefully compared before introduction."

Professor Oh said, "Just as we cannot eliminate all cars because of traffic accidents, and despite daily vehicle accidents, cars continue to operate, CCTV should be approached similarly. It is true that CCTV plays a beneficial role when crimes occur and has sometimes prevented crimes by detecting suspicious circumstances in advance." However, he added, "CCTV management regulations must be followed. It is important that agreements are made between administrators and those recorded. Also, enforcement and punishment for violations of CCTV usage rules must be properly carried out."