Taxi spy-cams under review in Southampton
Taxi spy-cams under review A REVIEW of compulsory spy cameras in taxis has been launched by councillors after a judge said the policy was “not lawful” but ruled he couldn’t overturn it.
Taxi boss Kevin May launched a legal challenge after the council three years ago brought in conditions requiring cameras to be fitted to new and replacement taxis and private hire cars.
About 450 of the 1,000 cars in Southampton have the cameras fitted, which record images and all conversations and cannot be switched off by drivers. They cost up to £700 each, of which cabbies have to pay about £300.
The city council insists they are needed for the safety of drivers and passengers.
But Mr May argued the recordings breached his human rights.
He has been backed by privacy watchdogs and the Information Commissioner, who said the capture of the recordings was “excessive and disproportionate, and therefore unfair”.
A crown court judge ruled he had no jurisdiction to overturn the camera policy but added that if he had he would have found it was “not lawful”.
He said the recording of every conversation was “invasive”, “disproportionate” and a “violation” of Article 8 of the Human Rights Act, the right to privacy.
Mr May has threatened to go to the High Court for a judicial review if councillors don’t amend the policy.
Councillors are launching a 12- week consultation on the taxicam policy before deciding whether to change it. But they refused to suspend the policy in the meantime at the request of cabbies.
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/9627511 ... er_review/
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