Not entirely, its usually seen as a massive liability, so many corporations and business are hostile to investigators or requests for footage, especially if the crime or incident doesn’t relate the company. Most footage has to be seized through warrants or subpoenas.
Same where I am, we do not comply for any requests for footage or guest information (hospitality industry) unless we have a warrant. Even with one, we will explicitly only hand over what is specifically requested.
We also keep records of foreign guest passport details. In case you ever wondered what happens to that information when you stay at a hotel, it is stored on a secure server and I am literally the only person at the property with access to that data, and would never hand it over without a very explicit warrant.
Doesn’t stop the cops from asking, but we always refuse. You won’t stay in business long as a hotel that doesn’t at least try to protect guest privacy.
I will say I work in a very dangerous or crime-heavy location, so we have to deal with cops a LOT. An obscene amount. There is a rather arduous process involved… store management needs to be there to grant access, a warrant is required, etc.
That’s right as long as it’s private companies collecting the data and then selling it to the government then it’s just wholesome surveillance capitalism.
Well, it’s mostly private surveillance so it’s ok. Muh property rights and all that.
Thing bad when gubment does it. Thing good when corporation does it!
Incidentally, they freely provide that footage to the government if asked.
Not entirely, its usually seen as a massive liability, so many corporations and business are hostile to investigators or requests for footage, especially if the crime or incident doesn’t relate the company. Most footage has to be seized through warrants or subpoenas.
Same where I am, we do not comply for any requests for footage or guest information (hospitality industry) unless we have a warrant. Even with one, we will explicitly only hand over what is specifically requested.
We also keep records of foreign guest passport details. In case you ever wondered what happens to that information when you stay at a hotel, it is stored on a secure server and I am literally the only person at the property with access to that data, and would never hand it over without a very explicit warrant.
Doesn’t stop the cops from asking, but we always refuse. You won’t stay in business long as a hotel that doesn’t at least try to protect guest privacy.
I will say I work in a very dangerous or crime-heavy location, so we have to deal with cops a LOT. An obscene amount. There is a rather arduous process involved… store management needs to be there to grant access, a warrant is required, etc.
That’s right as long as it’s private companies collecting the data and then selling it to the government then it’s just wholesome surveillance capitalism.