A CCTV Camera In the Restroom? Are You Kidding?!

Recently, Chinese netizens debated whether educational institutions should install surveillance cameras in the restrooms, with a sign saying: 

“Please pay attention that you have entered a CCTV area.” 

A CCTV Camera In the Restroom? Are You Kidding?!

© Image | 华商网

An article published online on Monday has attracted huge number of different views. A father surnamed Wang, lived in Xi’an, Shanxi Province, in northwestern China, said that a CCTV camera was used to monitor the behavior of restrooms of an education institution where his son came to study every weekend.

According to the Chinese Business View, Mr. Wang said that although each stall has a partition door, he is very uncomfortable with the camera there. However, he had to use the restroom despite it being unacceptable for him.

A CCTV Camera In the Restroom? Are You Kidding?!

© Image | 华商网

A staff member of the institution told the media this restroom with cameras are unisex and open to all students, parents and teachers, men and women.

Two reasons explained by the staff

Firstly, according to the staff of the educational institution, the camera helps to monitor people who might be smoking there, which is forbidden. Before using the camera, the staff found a cigarette butt there but no one smoked in the restrooms after the camera installed.

Secondly, it can be used to prevent students from being bullied and to protect their safety.

A CCTV Camera In the Restroom? Are You Kidding?!

© Image | GOOGLE

In response to those who believe that the camera violates privacy, the staff said that the camera is fixed and that when the door is closed, it cannot take pictures of people behind the partition door.

After installing the camera, the organization posted a compelling notice to inform the students.

Lawyers have different views

Wang Yi, a lawyer at a Law Firm in Beijing, said the CCTV camera in the bathroom is operated illegally. The organization has no right to collect images and videos and violates privacy rights.

However, Zhang Wei, a lawyer at a Law Firm in Shanxi, believed that it is legal to install a CCTV camera because the bathroom is to some extent a public place. He added that the partition door protects the person being monitored while using the toilet and therefore does not invade privacy.

A CCTV Camera In the Restroom? Are You Kidding?!

© Image | BBCNEWS

Increasing use of surveillance cameras has sparked debate about how to regulate their use and how to ensure citizen privacy.

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One of the online user said that if the educational institution installed a CCTV camera in the restroom is reasonable, why can’t the hotel install a CCTV camera in the bathroom? He said the institution’s statement sounded ridiculous.