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The installation of surveillance cameras in all Hong Kong taxis will help drivers and passengers handle disputes and will not intrude on personal privacy, an industry leader has said.
The government on Monday said all taxis in the city will be required to install surveillance cameras, as well as GPS, dashcams, and electronic payment systems over the next two years to improve service quality.
Speaking on a Commercial Radio programme on Tuesday, Chow Kwok-keung, chairperson of the Hong Kong Taxi and Public Light Bus Association, backed the proposal as he said the use of in-car surveillance cameras could help resolve disputes between drivers and passengers.
“In the case of drivers using vulgar language or [over-charging], [the surveillance camera] will reduce such malpractice,” Chow said in Cantonese. “It will also control passengers’ emotions, reduce pointless argument and foul language flying across.”
According to the government’s proposal, the audio-visual data recorded in taxis would be stored in a sealed hard disk in the car for 30 days. In the case of disputes or accidents, the data will be uploaded to a centralised platform in a government cloud system for law enforcement authorities to inspect.
The government said only “authorised persons” would have access to the data for investigating complaints or crimes. It added that transport authorities would contact the city’s privacy watchdog and create guidelines regarding the use of the videos recorded in taxis.
Chow said the proposed arrangement could prevent drivers from distributing the videos, adding that it could be an offence to do so as the data would be protected from unauthorised access.
Asked if the in-car surveillance systems would create privacy concerns, Chow said residents had become used to being monitored or recorded on cameras in public areas.
“I think to many residents, they can feel that the videos are conducive to police investigations, and that residents have become less resistant towards being filmed in public,” he said.
‘Fair business environment’
Chow also supported requiring the installation of electronic payment options in taxis, saying that non-cash payments have been “the general trend” and that the industry must adapt to the technology.
He added that many drivers themselves have grown accustomed to electronic payment systems in mainland China and that the government’s proposal would be easier to enforce than before.
But he also urged authorities to take note of the needs of the taxi industry and clamp down on illegal ride-hailing services, saying that the industry had complaints under former transport minister Lam Sai-hung.
Chief Executive John Lee last week sacked Lam in a surprise move and replaced him with Mable Chan, formerly the permanent secretary for the Transport and Logistics Bureau. Culture, sports and tourism chief Kevin Yeung was also fired. The reasons for their dismissals were not made clear.
Chow said he would only gave Lam two stars out of five for his performance, citing the government’s delay in regulating illegal ride-hailing systems during Lam’s tenure.
“The operational costs of taxis have become higher and regulations have increased, while the industry has accepted them without complaints,” he said. “We hope the government would provide a fair business environment to us.”
Hong Kong is considering regulating online ride-hailing platforms like Uber by licensing. A proposal on the regulatory details is expected next year.
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