Can Taxis With Eyes Be Trusted To Protect Passengers’Privacy?

A taxi company in shanghai has announced its plan to equip half of its fleet - about 6，000 taxis - with digital video recorders by the end of the year. According to the company， there will be four cameras per taxi， installed internally as well as externally to ensure the safety of both passengers and drivers. the Guangzhou Municipal commission of transport in south chinas Guangdong Province has also announced a plan to install cameras in taxis in the city.

the announcements have been hailed by many who think it will be an effective measure to allay the increasing Concern over public security. it will also， they believe， Control unsafe driving and improve poor taxi service.

But at the same time， others claim that in-car cameras will violate passengers and drivers privacy， especially when the cities are yet to set up regulations governing taxicamera surveillance.

PRO

Cai Guangyong Taxi driver

A taxi cabin is a public place. Only people who behave suspiciously will be negatively affected by cameras in public places. meras will restrain passengers and drivers as well， but for me， they do no harm as long as I do my work properly.

Con

Jiang Zhi Company staff

The cameras in a taxi might be in passengersinterests， but I dont feel like being under this kind of “protection” because it will make me feel more insecure instead. Many cities had strict management regulations when their monitoring systems were built but still， we have seen a lot of private Contents posted on the Internet. They have even been used by some organizations or individuals for illegal purposes.

Although the Shanghai taxi company has emphasized the footages will be strictly managed， we cant help feeling Concerned about the possibility of them falling into the wrong hands. In such a scenario who would dare discuss Confidential things like company management and trade secrets in a taxi？ CA

PRO

Li Guangjin Guangzhou Daily

From the perspective of protecting the interests of passengers， I believe the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The cameras can help passengers recover their personal belongings left in taxis and ensure the safety of both passengers and drivers.

When we regard the disputes between drivers and passengers - for example， a passenger left his things in the taxi and the driver denied it - its obviously good to have a “witness.” The footage will always tell the truth.

Some people think it will result in infringement of privacy. What will make the difference is whether passengers have been informed of the presence of cameras. If passengers choose to take the cab even after a public announcement to that effect， it means they agreed to waive part of their right to privacy.

Frankly speaking， I think no one regards a cab as home， doing or saying anything they want while they are in it. So as long as the cameras are installed in such a way that they dont film peoples exposed bodies， nothings wrong with them.

Con

Chang Jia Guangzhou Daily

More cameras mean more Concerns for citizens， especially when there is no regulation governing taxi-camera surveillance. meras in taxis will make passengers uncomfortable. Also many drivers dont like to work under Constant surveillance.

In addition， there are many unresolved issues： do passengers have the right to watch the footage when they find their belongings missing？ When footages are lost or used improperly， who will take the responsibility？

Since these questions have not been answered yet， the decision to install cameras is a bad idea.

PRO

Ba Mu Netizen

A taxi is a service site and both the driver and passengers are responsible for its safety. Some people argue about the right to privacy but there have been cameras on buses for a long time. Why is there no complaint about that？ If cameras in taxis invade privacy， what about the cameras in train stations， airport and streets？ Should we protest against all of them？ CA

PRO

Wan Qingtao Commentator

As modern technology develops， camera surveillance has begun to cover every part of our life. It plays an important part in deterring criminals and ensuring public safety. When citizens enjoy a safer public environment， its fair to ask them to give up some of their rights.

People are used to cameras on the bus. Compared to buses， taxis give passengers more privacy due to the limited space and fewer passengers. So cameras in the taxi might violate passengers right to privacy.

But we should also give a thought to the ground reality. Today we are facing a great challenge to public security. The right to life should be put before the right to privacy. When life is lost， whats the point in having the right to privacy？

Of course， when cameras are installed in taxis its important to improve the related laws and regulations， preventing footage leaks and punishing the perpetrators.

Con

Ma Zhihai Southern Metropolis Daily

Like camera surveillance anywhere， cameras in taxis are no doubt an effective measure to solve some safety problems. But does that mean we accept them thoughtlessly？ What about the additional costs？ Who will pay for the camera and installment costs？ And the maintenance cost？

Im afraid the answer is obvious： passengers. The additional cost will be included in the operational costs and will come to the passenger in the end.

Con

Zeng Dexiong Scholar

Cameras in public places such as street corners and on buses are definitely necessary today. But there should be a limit.

For example， its fine to install cameras on a bus， but not in a taxi. We should be vigilant about surveillance in public places in the name of public security. Yes， we do face increasing challenges to public security but personal rights should be put first because they are an integral part of a civilized society.

Some defend the plan saying the information management system should be strengthened to prevent footage Containing private matters from being leaked. Its possible， but only theoretically. We have seen a lot of cases of personal information leaks， so who can guarantee the footage recorded by the cameras in taxis will not be given out？