Surveilling the surveillance

The number of Surveillance cameras in Iceland has increased substantially in recent years. This applies to cameras operated by public authorities; private companies, various associations, and individuals.

Valdimar Tr. Hafstein, Associate Professor of Folkloristics and Bryndís Björgvinsdóttir, folklorist, are currently researching and mapping surveillance and security cameras in the public space of central Reykjavík. Hafstein says the purpose of the project is multifaceted; it aims to establish the extent of the surveillance and lay the ground for future evaluation of the growth and development of the surveillance in years to come; to discover the perspectives and experiences of those utilising the cameras; to explore the purpose of setting them up, and to get a sense of the public’s attitude towards them. Furthermore, the idea is to provide the people of Reykjavík with access to information regarding the extent and the purpose of the surveillance, as well as the ownership of cameras and their scope.

Hafstein says that parties operating cameras in public space are obliged by privacy laws to warn about the surveillance in an open and visible manner and provide information on who is responsible. According to Hafstein the mapping of the cameras revealed that such warnings are scarce; even public institutions and the state fail to live up to this obligation. Furthermore, says Hafstein, there is no formal registration or administration of this widespread surveillance. “No formal registration or permit is required for mounting surveillance and security cameras; despite the fact that the cameras register the public’s movements in the city’s streets and squares; as well as overseeing the owner’s property. Information on how many cameras there are and where they are placed is not available anywhere,” says Hafstein.

“With this situation in mind”, Hafstein says, “in addition to traditional academic publication, we added the creation of a surveillance map, which will be available online; including a photo of each camera containing information on its scope and who is responsible for it. The purpose of the map is to increase the citizen’s awareness of the surveillance and to promote a critical public dialogue on the surveillance cameras, security and privacy.”