Fraser Sampson to call for public sector CCTV to prioritise human rights at Global MSC Security 2021
James Thorpe
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Global MSC Security has announced that Fraser Sampson, the Commissioner for the Retention and Use of Biometric Material and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, will call upon local authorities to prioritise human rights, when investing taxpayers money into new CCTV equipment. He will make the keynote address at the Global MSC Security Conference and Exhibition, which is taking place in Bristol on Tuesday 19 October 2021.
The Commissioner will use the platform to urge procurement processes to give equal attention to human rights and the assurance of ethical supply chain together with costs. Fraser Sampson stated: “Some of the camera systems being made available from outside the United Kingdom are highly competitive and cost-effective and are therefore attractive at both local and national government level.”
“It is unsurprising that some of the surveillance camera systems attracting attention are becoming popular with public services as they will probably excel in meeting the relevant criteria in the procurement scoring process.”
The Commissioner continued: “Direct corporate complicity in the furtherance of human rights abuses in the specific context of surveillance camera technology has been raised directly by the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee.” He added: “It is clear that operators and purchasers of such systems need direction and guidance.”
Citing a tryptic approach to the use and deployment of CCTV equipment the Commissioner recommends asking is it technologically possible? Is it legally permissible? And is it societally acceptable?
Managing Director of Global MSC Security, Derek Maltby, commented: “Many local authorities we work with seek advice as to the most cost-effective camera systems to purchase with taxpayers money, but which are also socially acceptable having regard to human rights and cyber security. Guidance and leadership from the Biometric and Surveillance Camera Commissioner will provide the direction needed.”
The Global MSC Security Conference and Exhibition takes place on Tuesday 19 October 2021 at The Bristol Hotel in Bristol City Centre, from 9am until 3.30pm. Registration is open now: www.globalmsc.net/seminars.
The event is sponsored by Genetec, Synectics, Bosch, 360 Vision, Milestone and DSSL Group, with the International Security Journal and Security Journal UK as Media Partners. The chosen charity for this year is Meningitis Now.
