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The widespread installation of cameras and video surveillance devices and distribution of the video content aren’t regulated by the law in Armenia, expert on digital rights, Andranik Markosyan said during a press conference organized by the Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression.

According to him, the international experience offers two options in case someone wants to install a video surveillance device in the building. In the first case, if there is someone against the installation, the device must be uninstalled within 24 hours. The second case suggest anyone wishing to install the device to have the permission of other residents of the building.

“There are video surveillance devices in almost every store, except the toilets and changing rooms. The staff should inform customers in case of installing these [devices]. There is no law on how long the content should be kept or how it should be used. It’s quite possible that they intend on keeping the content for years and using it with other purposes,” Markosyan added.

He insists that a law should be developed to regulate how and how long the content of the video surveillance devices should be kept, and who is eligible to use it.

“There’s always a question whether the videos refer to personal data. I guess the answer is no, unless they have identified the person on the video. But in this case the human right to privacy is violated,” Markosyan said.