The Privacy Commissioner has told the justice system to improve its technological surveillance system so that it can more appropriately respond to requests for access of such imagery.

A person applied to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner after being denied access to surveillance of him at the lockup in downtown St. John’s. The Department of Justice and Public Safety denied the request as it did not have the means to redact the video. It said the videos contain several third parties, and without appropriate redaction software, they are unable to release them due to privacy concerns.”

The records in question contain video of the complainant interacting with several corrections officers and members of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.

The Commissioner has recommended that government acquire the appropriate technology to redact videos and release those records which are not subject to information-level exceptions.