Revealed: How Big Brother watches you at university
By: Manisha Ganguly
Tags: Politics, Privacy, Surveillance, University, Technology

However, the data released on number of CCTV cameras installed is insufficient to determine the number of students per camera at each university, as the ratio depends on average population density on campus for which no data is available, as well as density of CCTV cameras by area across multiple campuses.

Data Source: FOI requests/ Manisha Ganguly CC by SA

The data on how many of the total CCTV cameras were installed in the past four years shows how universities like the University of West London had only upgraded their surveillance programs recently. The increase in CCTV cameras in some institutions is related to campus expansion or reconstruction, such as the 43 CCTVs installed in the new LSE Student Union bar as a condition of the licence.

Anne McKeown, Support Services Manager, University of London, said: “The deployment of CCTV cameras around campus is an important part of the College’s duty of care to our students, staff and visitors, and assists with the prevention, detection and investigation of crime against any of our students, staff or visitors, or against university property. Use of any CCTV footage is strictly governed by data protection and human rights law.”

A representative from London South Bank University told us: “CCTV have positive effect across the University. The University is able to investigate crime, respond in real time to incidents happening at building entrance areas /receptions and at night when incidents occurred within the perimeter of the campus.”

Measuring effectiveness of CCTVs on campus

Most universities responded stating they had no outcome-specific measures of effectiveness of CCTV on campus, such as how many instances of criminal activity were intercepted or how many criminals arrested as a result of captured footage, and that they were installed as a deterrant to crime. Kingston University however, had recorded 51 instances where CCTV evidence was used to intercept crime on campus in the past 5 years. London School of Economics disclosed signing over 60 CCTV images to the police for criminal investigations between 2014 and 2016.

“Surveillance at university fundamentally undermines what a university should be: spaces where ideas can be shared and discussed amongst students and staff without fears of repercussions. At some universities in London data gathering and CCTV footage has been used to threaten and discipline students taking political actions,” says Rosa Collins*, a student of History at LSE. “This is an authoritarian attack on students that especially impacts those with vulnerable immigration status.”

David Graeber, Professor of Anthropology at LSE, highlighted the lack of effectiveness of CCTV in preventing theft: “I’ve never heard of a case where the cameras helped in catching a thief or retrieving anything that was stolen. So you have to wonder what if anything they’re really for. Is it just about the possibility of student or worker protest? Or to make strangers feel uncomfortable.” LSE did not respond to requests for comment on whether the installation of CCTV cameras have improved life on campus

At UCL, Emmanuel Ordóñez Angulo, a PhD student of Philosophy, said his main concern was on-campus theft: “Say, if I don’t find my computer back at the place in the library I was occupying after a toilet/lunch break, there would be footage to track it.”

However, John Gilbert*, a professor at UCL, described an incident where his possession was stolen and not recovered as the CCTV camera at the scene was not operational: “I have a security camera positioned right outside my office — facing my door. I’ve always found it slightly invasive, but never gave it much thought. Then, about 3 years ago, a valuable book (a personal gift from the author) was stolen from the box on the door where people leave things for me. On inquiring after the CCTV footage for that afternoon, I discovered there was none. The camera was hardly ever active, if at all, and whatever footage might exist was not kept or archived in any way.”

Rosalind Rei, a student of History at King’s College, said campus surveillance created a culture of suspicion and paranoia: “I don’t want to study and interact in a monitored space, regardless of whether my individual data is anonymised.”

In response to whether CCTV is installed inside facilities provided for spiritual, religious and contemplative activities and practices, University College London stated they had one installed CCTV camera at each entry point “at the request and with the agreement of the UCL Union Societies”, and has received positive feedback from users of the space. Royal Holloway also disclosed that they have one CCTV installed in the room used for Friday congregational prayers, but noted that the room is not solely used for that purpose, accommodating lectures and orchestra rehearsals. In October of 2015, the University of Westminster had come under criticism from students for installing CCTV inside prayers rooms on all campuses without consulting with the Student Union.

Last week, the Surveillance Camera Commissioner Tony Porter unveiled a “passport to compliance” for organisations to meet the principles outlined in Surveillance Camera Code of Practice. However, compliance with this code does not guarantee that the organisation will be abiding by “other relevant legislation such as the Data Protection Act and Human Rights Act.”