Information Commissioner says 'listening' CCTV unacceptable

Published on 18 May 2007

The Information Commissioner Richard Thomas has spoken out against the use of covert CCTV in public spaces during a speech to the Home Affairs Select Committee.

Also in the the spotlight were 'listening' CCTV cameras such as those being trialled by Westminster Council during January. Cameras that can pick up on ambient sound levels are already used in the Netherlands and may be used to bolster security during the 2012 London Olympics.

He told the Commons home affairs committee: "There is a debate as to whether there is a case to place microphones in the street. We are very hostile to that. We think it would be unacceptable.

Mr Thomas previously warned that Britain was "sleepwalking into a surveillance society"