Webcam’s harbour view causes controversy
A Moray businesswoman is to put up signs warning residents about her holiday cottage webcam after complaints that it was beaming live images of children across the world. Susan Begg’s webcam, positioned in the first-floor window of her 100-year-old fisherman’s cottage, overlooks Findochty harbour. Mrs Begg, who co-owns the leading north-east chain Craigdon Mountain Sports, said she will make locals aware of its presence after fears were raised about privacy and children’s safety. She said the webcam was installed for monitoring the local weather conditions. “It is the intention to erect signs to that effect,” she added.
Susan Begg’s webcam
Mrs Begg’s self-catering holiday cottage, called Edindoune, is within a stone’s throw of the marina in Commercial Street. Concerns were raised by a grandmother who phoned the Press and Journal. The Findochty woman, who did not want to be named, said the area was popular with children who play in the harbour. She said:
“My husband said he’d seen me earlier that day on a webcam.
“I couldn’t believe it. My immediate reaction was ‘Can they do that?’
“My grandchildren play down there and the kids are always playing in the harbour.
“There’s no notices warning people a camera is recording people in the area.”
The use of personal information and its access is regulated by the Information Commissioner’s Office. Last night, Scotland’s assistant commissioner Ken Macdonald said under the terms of the CCTV code of practice, individuals clearly identified on cameras being used to capture video footage must be made aware of its presence.
