TV Licensing Goons Wearing Body Cameras

Last week we shared a new YouTube video showing a TV Licensing goon visiting an address in Neath.

The video caused quite a stir over at TV Licence Resistance forums, because it was the first time people had noticed that TV Licensing goons are now equipped with body cameras (aff. link).

The use of cameras is not actually that new, with Capita first issuing cameras to TV Licensing goons in mid-November 2022. The official TV Licensing website contains an FAQs page about the deployment of the cameras.

According to TV Licensing, the cameras are intended to safeguard the health and safety of goons and deter physical and serious verbal assaults against them. The camera can be activated by a goon when they anticipate their health and safety might be at risk, say for example if they receive verbal abuse during a visit.

However, TV Licensing also states that "in standby mode", which is presumably when the camera is turned on but not activated, the device records for 90 seconds over-writing in a continuous loop. This is so events leading up to an activation are also recorded. In other words the camera is gathering footage the whole time, although it will only be retained on the device in the event of an activation.

TV Licensing adds that people will be aware a camera has been activated from the red light it displays. It adds that a goon should also tell anyone present that the camera is recording, unless it is impractical to do so.

Camera recordings are erased when they uploaded to a server (aff. link) at the end of the goon's shift. The data is retained on the server for 31 days and then deleted, unless it is required for investigation purposes. Data retained for investigation purposes is held for as long as required and for up to 6 months after the conclusion of the investigation.

Concerns have been raised that recording in this manner might allow TV Licensing to gather footage in people's private properties. TV Licensing claims that this is allowed, as long as the recording can be justified as being necessary and proportionate.

Anyone whose voice or image is captured by a TV Licensing goon camera can request a copy of the data by making a subject access request to Capita.

We are aware of several instances of TV Licensing goons perpetrating physical and verbal assaults on members of the public, so it is to be hoped the cameras might also deter goon criminality and malpractice.

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