Dear Koragaonkar ji
This has to do with the issue of PRIVACY. In certain developed countries, whether it is for Workplace surveillance or public safety surveillance; there are Legislations to :
- control its use,
- to protect the Privacy of the persons being monitored.
Therefore, a WARNING displaying that CCTV's have been placed; is mandatory.
Here's a link to a CCTV Policy of New South Wales state. Australia :
http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/__dat...ras-Policy.pdf
Apart from this, you would agree that if a person finds a secluded spot, without knowing that there is a CCTV camera; may indulge in certain private and personal act; which MAY NOT BE ILLEGAL; but may be embarrassing if known or seen by others.
It can even be an innocent act like, adjusting one's dress by unbuckling and opening the trousers; cleaning ones nose or ears etc. Any such thing can be particularly dreadful in case of females.
Therefore, if not law; just a civil etiquette or manners DEMAND that people be informed if they are BEING OBSERVED SECRETLY through CCTV cameras without their knowledge.
This is a necessary human courtesy.
It is another thing that people in our country lack a civic sense; and are only driven by fear or stick. If there is no punitive law, they will not follow it; and if there is a law, they will try to circumvent it. The bifurcation of Minimum Wages would be the most popular and widespread example.
It is an entirely different story in India.
I hope you must be aware of the recent
DELHI METRO MMS SCANDAL, which is very much in the news; wherein the CCTV footage that surreptitiously captured couples in very close positions, as they were in vacant coaches and not aware of CCTV. Not only their PRIVACY has been violated; but the recordings found their way in many Adult Internet sites.
Thankfully, no one has come forward to claim damages for such a violation of privacy.
Yet, having such notices are important; otherwise miscreants would be free to place CCTV cameras in hotel rooms; changing rooms in malls; toilets and bathrooms in women's institutions etc; since there would be no compulsion to display any notices.
Once there is a display pf notice, it will alert people who are being recorded; and also people can protest if cameras are placed in in-appropriate places.
So; if next time one is in a hotel room or a public toilet, one can protest if there is a notice.
If such cameras are placed which are HIDDEN or not declared then if the are discovered, one can sue for invasion of privacy.
Not DECLARING or not informing the Public (or employees) through a displayed notice about a CCTV camera; makes it technically a "HIDDEN CAMERA"; and as legal practitioner, I am certain that you are aware about the implications of such Hidden cameras.
Warm regards.