Comments on: Smile! The TSA is taping you — and here’s what you need to know about it

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:42:19 +0000

Totally agree with Dave Burgte. They should be taping the TSA workers who are supposedly “checking” luggage for dangerous or illegal items. Had our expensive sunglasses stolen by the TSA five-finger-shoppers at HNL airport a couple years ago.

By: CCTV Training

CCTV Training — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:56:10 +0000

In Europe and the UK there will be interesting changes for both private security and national security – data protection is important.

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:02:39 +0000

Just remember that CCTV systems are prosecuting cameras, not crime-prevention cameras.

The cameras at casinos, gas stations, convenience stores, etc., are there to help those companies figure out who ripped them off so they can prosecute the criminal.

As for the airport tapes: as we are all apt to do something embarrassing in public (remember seeing Jerry Jones picking his nose on that giant TV in the Cowboys stadium), I would prefer that only I and those investigating an incident see the video of me getting screened.

As for audio: there is probably not an easy or economical way to get the audio. If the CCTV’s had microphones, you would get a lot of ambient noise (like the goofy comments about not leaving your car unattended that come on every 5 minutes (who does not know this??)). Having mics placed on TSA agents or in the screening areas would be a logistical nightmare.

By: Stephen - NYC

Stephen - NYC — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 18:00:20 +0000

I only hope it’s a digital file and not actual videotape. I would like to see the minimum storage time be increased to at least 60 days (not just for us to get a court-order, but to allow for a more thorough archive search if necessary).
I also hope the airport has a good security system for the computers doing the recording.

By: Carl G.

Carl G. — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:22:09 +0000

Re: “…right to privacy…”
Courts have ruled for years that there should be no expectation of ‘privacy’ in a public venue. And, the idea that the actions of the public and the TSA are recorded works both ways. It protects the innocent and, depending on your bias, exposes the guilty or minimized the probability of someone doing something wrong.

As mentioned earlier, it is a rare convenience store, service station, toll booth, et al, that does not have cameras. If there were not so many idiots and criminals around, this kind of thing would not be necessary. If you have nothing to hide, what’s the problem. If you do, then three cheers for the video.

By: Dave Burgte

Dave Burgte — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:35:20 +0000

It’s fine with me if they wish to tape my personal screening, but why can’t they also tape the searching of checked baggage? Something goes missing from your checked bag and they simply don’t know anything about it!

By: Lisa S

Lisa S — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:29:09 +0000

“The government doesn’t own the CCTV systems. Instead, TSA partners with the airport to fund and install cameras at security checkpoints. TSA provided $70 million in funding to install CCTV installation at 20 airports in fiscal 2009, according to the agency.”

Where did TSA get the $70 million if not from the US government? Seems taxpayers should most definitely have access to the video. A lot of TSA employees are on power trips and need to be held accountable for their actions. People should be able to get a copy of their screening–or victimization, depending on how you see it.

By: KF

KF — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:27:03 +0000

Guess I’ll have to look a little closer the next time I’m at the airport. There are several things that bother me – I’d like public notice that the CCTV cameras are in place – like in London they are very public you are on video. Two, like a previous poster mentioned, I’d like the airport, not the TSA to be responsible for the tapes – both the passengers and the TSA are accountable to someone else. Third, I wish there was audio – I think a lot could be missed and actions don’t tell the whole story. Last, if I subjected to a high level search or screening I want the right to make my own recording.

By: uberVU - social comments

uberVU - social comments — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:48:49 +0000

Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Reddit by eoin2000: Sounds like they’ll only release footage that exonerates them….

By: Ksenia Coffman

Ksenia Coffman — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:14:28 +0000

“If TSA agents know that their actions are being video taped, they are a lot more likely to follow procedure, and a lot less likely to abuse their power. If a frivolous claim is filed, there will be some video evidence to help them out (assuming the agent was acting properly)”
Agree with this — it protects both passengers and the TSA. Liability protection is a big driver for video surveillance — what if the passenger who claimed that “TSA agents took my son” filed a law suite, as a lot of people suggested to her? A lot of time and money (our taxpayer money) would have been wasted if it weren’t for the tape showing that the story was a fabrication.