For a long while now, some businesses have installed video cameras on buildings in Symi. Some of these broadcast live pictures on the internet where they can be viewed from anywhere and everywhere in the world. The image from one of these cameras, for example, has Mouragio and the harbour filling the top of the picture and the road by the bus stop in the bottom half. When the "Aegli" is moored in Symi, it is shown clearly. You can also see the people getting off and on. The same is also true for the “Proteus”. The images on these websites are updated every thirty seconds.
While certain cameras are too high up and have too poor a picture quality for faces to be clearly seen, the movements of Port Police and Greek Navy boats, as well as Army vehicles on the road, are being recorded systematically and broadcast live to the World. I understand that the Symi Port Police have expressed concern, as such cameras clearly break the law regarding video surveillance and security in border islands such as Symi, but these concerns have so far been ignored.
Several months ago the situation worsened as another camera was installed in the centre of the harbour, showing the pavement, harbourside walk and the taxi boats. Any vehicles passing along the road can be recorded and broadcast live. With this camera, faces are visible and recognisable and all who visit the surrounding buildings can also be shown.
I think it’s unacceptable that there are cameras on Symi that spy on us on a daily basis. Watching the cameras a few days ago for a few minutes, I was able to see people that I recognise, and I am sure that none of them know that their business is now being shown off to the World in this way.
Everyone who cares about their privacy should complain about these cameras to the relevant authorities and they may then be taken off the air. Spying by camera on people has become a way of life in many parts of the world, especially in Great Britain and Northern Europe, but despite the efforts of some to import them to Greece, the Greek law is clear: this way of spying is illegal.
While certain cameras are too high up and have too poor a picture quality for faces to be clearly seen, the movements of Port Police and Greek Navy boats, as well as Army vehicles on the road, are being recorded systematically and broadcast live to the World. I understand that the Symi Port Police have expressed concern, as such cameras clearly break the law regarding video surveillance and security in border islands such as Symi, but these concerns have so far been ignored.
Several months ago the situation worsened as another camera was installed in the centre of the harbour, showing the pavement, harbourside walk and the taxi boats. Any vehicles passing along the road can be recorded and broadcast live. With this camera, faces are visible and recognisable and all who visit the surrounding buildings can also be shown.
I think it’s unacceptable that there are cameras on Symi that spy on us on a daily basis. Watching the cameras a few days ago for a few minutes, I was able to see people that I recognise, and I am sure that none of them know that their business is now being shown off to the World in this way.
Everyone who cares about their privacy should complain about these cameras to the relevant authorities and they may then be taken off the air. Spying by camera on people has become a way of life in many parts of the world, especially in Great Britain and Northern Europe, but despite the efforts of some to import them to Greece, the Greek law is clear: this way of spying is illegal.
Christos Byron
© The News of Symi newspaper
Translation © SymiGreece.com
Re-publication is prohibited without the written permission of the editor of the News of Symi newspaper and SymiGreece.com
Symi News
- THE NEWS of Symi newspaper (December 2009) - Out Now 27/11/2009
- Symi General Election Result 2009 06/10/2009
- What Do You Think About Symi? 21/06/2009
- Ferry Timetables 13/05/2009
- Tragedy 24/01/2009
- Epiphany in Symi 2009 06/01/2009
- Municipal Radio and the News of Symi Party 29/11/2008
- Winter Tourism on Symi 21/11/2008
- Spy Cameras in Yialos 21/11/2008
- Panormitis Celebrations 2008 08/11/2008
- OHI Day 2008 28/10/2008
- Feast of Panagia Glistriani 03/09/2008
- The News of Symi ONLINE on SymiGreece 16/06/2008
- The First FAROS Vet Clinic: A Great Success 10/05/2008
- 8th May Celebrations 2008 08/05/2008
- Celebrating Koukoumas 2008 03/05/2008
- Easter in Symi 2008: 110 Photos & 25 Videos 27/04/2008
- Piraeus to Symi: GA Ferries April/May 2008 Timetable 30/03/2008
- Greek Independence Day 2008 25/03/2008
- Symi Lit with Fires 24/03/2008
- Symi General Election Result 2009 06/10/2009
- What Do You Think About Symi? 21/06/2009
- Ferry Timetables 13/05/2009
- Tragedy 24/01/2009
- Epiphany in Symi 2009 06/01/2009
- Municipal Radio and the News of Symi Party 29/11/2008
- Winter Tourism on Symi 21/11/2008
- Spy Cameras in Yialos 21/11/2008
- Panormitis Celebrations 2008 08/11/2008
- OHI Day 2008 28/10/2008
- Feast of Panagia Glistriani 03/09/2008
- The News of Symi ONLINE on SymiGreece 16/06/2008
- The First FAROS Vet Clinic: A Great Success 10/05/2008
- 8th May Celebrations 2008 08/05/2008
- Celebrating Koukoumas 2008 03/05/2008
- Easter in Symi 2008: 110 Photos & 25 Videos 27/04/2008
- Piraeus to Symi: GA Ferries April/May 2008 Timetable 30/03/2008
- Greek Independence Day 2008 25/03/2008
- Symi Lit with Fires 24/03/2008
(0)
Comments
Be the first to post a comment!
930 hits