NEWS
Cameras on cellphones cause privacy concerns
By Laura Katsirdakis
Gazette Staff
 |
Ian Howes and Dave
Picard/Gazette |
| LOCKER ROOM PEEPING JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT EASIER. Gyms everywhere
may crack down on cell phones now that many of them come
with their own little cameras. |
Technology has great advantages, but some really annoying
drawbacks too.
Cellphones with cameras can take and send images to friends
over the Internet, but they can also violate your privacy.
For this reason, gyms such as the YMCA have banned such phones
from change rooms — they will instead be keeping them
at the front desk.
“We don’t have a policy on this yet — we
hadn’t heard of the issue until [recently],” said
Jeff Renaud, media relations officer for Sports and Recreation
Services, in reference to Campus Recreation at Western.
Renaud noted the issue will be raised to make employees aware
and for now it will be dealt with in a case-by-case manner.
“We are in the midst of developing a plan now,” said
Mark Vockentanz, general manager of The Athletic Club, adding
it will be difficult to find a way of monitoring cellphones
with cameras.
“This is definitely a concern of ours; we want to ensure
privacy for our members,” Vockentanz said. Leaving personal
property at the front desk is not an option because of the
high volume of customers every day, he added.
“I don’t know how you could regulate that,” said
Greg Rusciolelli, a fourth-year honours psychology student,
after noting he thought banning camera cellphones from locker
rooms was reasonable. “You’d think no one would
have a problem [with leaving their cellphone at a front desk],
but then again, you’d also think people wouldn’t
steal.”
“This just shows how far we’ve come. Technology
is invading privacy a lot — it’s everywhere,” said
Tobi Greenberg, a fourth-year psychology student, adding some
personal electronic devices like Palm Pilots have cameras in
them as well.
“In change rooms and washrooms, health clubs have a
responsibility to ensure the privacy of their patrons — I
would support [a policy banning camera/cellphones from these
areas] simply because privacy at that sort of facility is important,” said
Adrienne Kennedy, University Students’ Council VP-campus
issues.
