CCTV

CCTV (closed-circuit television 폐쇄회로/閉鎖回路 텔리비전) is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors.

It differs from broadcast television in that the signal is not openly transmitted, though it may employ point to point (P2P), point to multipoint, or mesh wireless links. Though almost all video cameras fit this definition, the term is most often applied to those used for surveillance in areas that may need monitoring such as banks, casinos, airports, military installations, and convenience stores.

Key words
CCTV, Web camera, visual surveillance, data processing, prevention of crimes

CCTV and Visual Surveillance
Surveillance of the public using CCTV is particularly common in many areas around the world including the United Kingdom, where there are reportedly more cameras per person than in any other country in the world. There and elsewhere, its increasing use has triggered a debate about security versus privacy.

The music video of Psy’s Gangnam Style shows how the Seoul citizens can be monitored by CCTVs at such areas as children's playground, sightseeing bus, riverside park for recreation, merry-go-round at a theme park, parking lot in the basement, elevator hall, subway platform, etc. as hundreds of CCTVs are installed and operated at the Gangnam area, south of the Han River.

In Korea, the newly implemented Personal Information Protection Act allows visual data gathering devices like CCTV to be installed in public places only for the purpose of prevention of crime.

The Act shall regulate not only CCTVs but also network cameras, or Web cameras. The Act is concerned about the public places where unidentified multitude people come and go, and the closed places like an apartment elevator and corridor with only a pass card or key required to enter are beyond its application.

Statutory grounds
Article 25 (Limitation to Installation and Operation of Visual Data Processing Devices) of the Act
 * (1) No one shall install and operate visual data processing devices at open places except in the cases as stated in the following Subparagraphs:
 * 1. Where laws and regulations allow it in a concrete manner;
 * 2. Where it is necessary for the prevention and investigation of crimes;
 * 3. Where it is necessary for the safety of facilities and prevention of fire;
 * 4. Where it is necessary for regulatory control of traffic; or
 * 5. Where it is necessary for the collection, analysis and provision of traffic information.
 * (2) No one shall install and operate visual data processing devices so as to look into the places which likely threat individual privacy noticeably, such as a bathroom open to the public, toilet, sweating room and dressing room; provided, however, that the same shall not apply to the facilities, which detain or protect persons pursuant to laws and regulations, such as a penitentiary, mental health center stated by the Presidential Decree.
 * (3) The head of public institutions who intends to install and operate visual data processing devices pursuant to each Subparagraph of Paragraph (1) and the person who intends to install and operate visual data processing devices pursuant to the proviso of Paragraph (2) shall gather opinions of relevant specialists and interested persons through such formalities as public hearings, information sessions, etc. stated by the Presidential Decree.
 * (4) The person who intends to install and operate visual data processing devices pursuant to each Subparagraph of Paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as the “V/D Operator”) shall take necessary measures including posting on a signboard so that data subjects may recognize it with ease as stated by the Presidential Decree; provided, however, that the same shall not apply to such facilities as stated by the Presidential Decree.
 * (5) The V/D Operator shall not handle arbitrarily visual data processing devices for other purposes than the initial one, nor direct the said devices toward different spots, nor use sound recording functions.
 * (6) The V/D Operator shall take necessary measures to ensure the safety pursuant to Article 29, so that personal information may not be lost, stolen, leaked, altered or damaged.
 * (7) The V/D Operator shall work out the appropriate policy to operate and manage visual data processing devices as stated by the Presidential Decree. In this case, it may be discharged to make the privacy policy pursuant to Article 30.
 * (8) The V/D Operator may outsource the installation and operation of visual data processing devices; provided, however, that the public institutions considering outsourcing shall comply with the procedure and requirements stated by the Presidential Decree.

In accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Guidelines for the Operation and Management of Visual Data Processing Devices (영상정보처리기기 운영․관리 지침) have been implemented.