In the age of modern dating, CCTV cameras have become a staple in many public spaces. They are often used to ensure safety and security, but they also raise important questions about privacy and surveillance.

CCTV cameras can provide a sense of security for individuals, especially when it comes to dating. They can help to deter crime and make people feel safer when meeting someone new in a public space or venue. CCTV footage can be used as evidence in court to help bring the perpetrator to justice if someone is being harassed or stalked, or is assaulted in any public venue or area. CCTV cameras can potentially help to prevent some catfishing and other deceptive practices by showing who is actually present is an area.

But CCTV cameras also raise important concerns about privacy and surveillance. The constant monitoring of public spaces and the insides of public and private venues can create a chilling effect on individuals, making them feel like they are being watched and judged at all times. This can be especially concerning for marginalized groups, who may already feel targeted and unsafe in public spaces.

Additionally, the use of CCTV cameras as part of wider security solutions can raise concerns about data privacy. The footage and information collected by these cameras can be used to track individuals and build profiles on them, potentially leading to targeting, blackmail, or other forms of exploitation. The questions of who has access to the data, who can view the data, who processes the data, and who stores the data (and for how long) all come into play here as worthy considerations.

So can CCTV cameras help dating partners to start safe and keep safe? Yes. But it’s a fine balance between ensuring the safety of the individuals, and then ensuring the safety of their collected data. The use of CCTV cameras must be proportionate. Their usage must not infringe on individual rights.