I own a bar and we have surveillance cameras which record onto a DVR. In addition to this, a live feed is provided on software installed on my computer which is username/password and IP protected. A patron at our bar was telling me this is not right and had a fit about it. I told her no one is forcing you to stay here if you don't like it. GTFO! She was complaining about how she will do research and how her friend works for the state and etc... I highly doubt she will take action, drunk people tend to forget things. But this incedent got me thinking if we are breaking the law or not? I don't think this is an invasion of privacy. We only have cameras capturing the bar area and the register and where the pool tables are. So does anyone know anything about the legality of this situation? Thanks in advance.
there are 4 cameras: 1: zoomed towards the register so you can make sure employees are ringing up things properly 2: a zoomout of the bar 3 outside the front door so you can see who is coming in and out and parts of the parking lot (which is property owned by our business) 4: facing three pool tables The bathroom doors are not even visible by these cameras, in fact there is a wall blocking the bathrooms so the camera has no angle at the bathrooms.
I know it is perfectly legal to have cameras recording what is going on because all businesses keep security cams (such as department stores, restaraunts, etc..) Her issue was that its providing a live feed and it is invading her privacy, her exact comment was something similar to this, if im picking my nose or scratching my ass, you could be watching. Or that I could or another business partner could be stalking someone. I told her well, I could go home daily and watch 6+ hours of footage and see the same damn thing.
I don't know the law, but I do know that if what you listed above is against the law then damn near every establishment in this country is breaking it.
Also, since one of the replies mentioned audio. There is no audio being recorded! And yes, we have a sign that says smile you're on camera which addresses people we have security cams installed in the establishment.
Seems like every Wal Mart has 300 cameras inside plus more on the outside in the parking lot. It doesn't get any more intrusive than that. My brother is the lawyer in the family, but I'd say you are in the clear.
So I'm guessing everything is okay and that lady can just think what she wants but nothing will change.
I highly doubt there is anything illegal. There are a lot of bars that stream their bar / dance floor online for everyone to see. I guess it's mainly to show their place is hoping to let you know to head over there. There are some on justin.tv, and others on ustream..... for example: (swapping between the dance floor and bar showing drunks...) <object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="300" width="400" id="live_embed_player_flash" data="http://www.justin.tv/widgets/live_embed_player.swf?channel=dnalounge" bgcolor="#000000"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="allowNetworking" value="all" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.justin.tv/widgets/live_embed_player.swf" /><param name="flashvars" value="channel=dnalounge&auto_play=false&start_volume=25" /></object><a href="http://www.justin.tv/dnalounge#r=mI31k0A~&s=em" class="trk" style="padding:2px 0px 4px; display:block; width:345px; font-weight:normal; font-size:10px; text-decoration:underline; text-align:center;">Watch live video from DNA Lounge on Justin.tv</a>
I work at Wal-Mart and they've got cameras in the bathrooms too, the really private ones too for one person bathrooms... I don't know if that's legal.
Speaking of Bar Webcams: A Ton of bar web cams Alary's Bar This cam used to be SO good before Katrina... I mean, really good.... New Orleans Cam I think you are good....
I suspect all is O.K., but I would advise you to contact whatever association governs your establishment and check with them. Just because we give our opinion doesn't make us experts.
Everything should be ok. Customers complain about everything, you just can't satisfy everyone. Tell her to take her business else where.
