Privacy as a Feature for Body-Worn Cameras

Reports on the technology of body worn cameras (BWMs) and discusses the threat to privacy that this passive data collection creates, along with opportunities to mitigate this risk. Furthermore, we argue that the use case of BWCs at work will stimulate the development of solutions that prevent the collection of data that could infringe upon the privacy of the wearer. Finally, we discuss the desirable properties of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) for BWCs.

Body-worn cameras (BWCs) are becoming increasingly prevalent within today’s society. These devices are now commonly seen on supermarket assistants, shopping center security guards, and public transport staff. Schools are also trialling BWCs on teachers to monitor students’ behavior [1]. The use of BWCs is believed to promote the transparency and accountability of behaviors as well as the security of the wearer [2, 3]. With an expected shipment of more than 5 million units in the next year [4] and a compounded annual growth rate of 16% in the next five years [5], BWCs will become a permanent feature within everyday life. Such an uptake of BWCs marks a transition from purposive to passive data collection.

In this article, we discuss the threat to privacy that this passive data collection creates, along with opportunities to mitigate this risk. Furthermore, we argue that the use case of BWCs at work will stimulate the development of solutions that prevent the collection of data that could infringe upon the privacy of the wearer. Finally, we discuss the desirable properties of privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) for BWCs.