Swedish Privacy Office Decries Hotel Guest, Worker Surveillance

Hotels using video cameras in common areas to monitor guests and workers in Sweden must strictly comply with federal law, the country’s privacy office said after an audit uncovered violations.

The privacy regulator’s audit of hotel camera surveillance policies and use in five cities revealed that all of the audited hotels were in violation of the Swedish Camera Monitoring Act, the office said April 7. The law prohibits directing surveillance cameras toward areas open to the public, unless the government grants licenses. In general, licenses are granted only if surveillance is deemed necessary to prevent crime, the office said.

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