CCTV of swimming pool playing in cafe

[Imdunfer]

Looking for advice on whether it would be rational to make a formal complaint about this.

The gym I use has just started playing the live CCTV feed of the swimming pool area into the cafe.

I'm very unhappy about being watched in my swimming costume by people I can't see watching me, but also there are children's swimming lessons going on in the pool as well and that feels like a safeguarding issue.

I've talked to the guy manning the desk and he brushed it off.

UABU - you are being unreasonable, there's nothing wrong with people you can't see being able to watch you and little children in wet swimming costumes.

UANBU - make a formal complaint

Have they displayed notices advising that cctv is in operation in the swimming pool area?

Why do your feelings trump the safety of others?

This camera will have been installed for safety: so that any problem - be it a child struggling in the water, or someone behaving badly in some way - can be spotted and dealt with or even deterred from happening in the first place.
It may have been installed in response to an incident that you don’t know about.

Think a bit beyond yourself, maybe.

It makes it a lot easier for men who are watching with bad intentions though. A lone man is unlikely to regularly go and sit by the pool watching as its more likely to be noticed. Whereas sitting watching in a cafe will just look like they're taking a while with their drink rather than being obvious theyre there for voyeurism.
It wouldnt bother me personally, but I can see why it would bother some.

Our gym has big picture windows overlooking the pool so people of exercises bikes look down on swimmers.

I really don't see the problem.

It's got nothing whatsoever to do with safety. It's in an unmanned cafe.

From a legal/GDPR perspective this doesn’t seem right. Is it worth a call to the information commissioners office to find out whether or not this is ok?

Good point, no they haven't.

This is more about your own body image than anything else.

What is it particularly about being seen by people that you can’t see rather than being seen by people you can see? Do you think they are judging you in a way that people you can see wouldn’t?

You are focusing a lot on how ‘dark and dingy’ the seating area is, and I am going to put this out there - are you imagining some grubby man having a wank under the table as he watches you in a swimming costume?

No, I have a very strong affinity for being immersed in water. It does something for my busy brain. A shower doesn't do it for me though I do also take very long showers.

I also use the bubble pool and the steam room.

I would talk to the manager and find out why they have installed it. Then you can decide whether you feel it is a legitimate reason and try to forget it’s there and enjoy your pool time, or if they do not have a good reason, challenge why it’s there and let them know you feel uncomfortable and they may be losing members over it. If you are not comfortable talking to them email instead.

Your last scenario is actually far from impossible in the setting.

Thank you, great answer. Unfortunately they don't allow email communications, but I might write.

I'm going out for a while, not the gym, back later. Thanks for the replies so far.

I think you are massively overestimating how much people want to look at you in a swimming costume.

Of course it’s to do with safety!
Do you honestly think they installed it so that people can perve over the swimmers?

They will have monitored screens elsewhere, and the fact that there is a screen in the cafe means that not only can parents can watch their children, but and miscreants in the pool area may be dissuaded from bad behaviour as they will be spotted.

I agree. I wouldn’t like it. Yes people can sit by pools but I think having people in a cafe watching you on screen is creepy.

I agree with a pp about having a chat with the manager to see why it’s been put there. Maybe there was incident or you’ll feel more comfortable with their reasons after a chat.

They are breaking the law if they do not have clear signs stating that cctv is in operation. I would write to them about that aspect.

Commercial and Business CCTV
Businesses using CCTV must follow full data protection rules from the start—there’s no exemption for commercial premises. Key requirements include:
• Have a lawful basis for recording
• Put up clear signage about CCTV use
• Appoint authorised staff to manage access
• Set retention and deletion policies
• Respond to subject access requests
Workplace CCTV gets extra scrutiny. Employers should:
• Consult employees where appropriate, before installing cameras
• Avoid monitoring private areas (toilets, break rooms)
• Record the reason for each camera
• Consider less intrusive options first

the cctv would be better if the staff could see only

If some creep really wanted to perv on people in swimsuits wouldn’t they actually go into the swimming pool? Much more intimate perving opportunities. Watching some low-quality cctv in a cafe is unlikely to cut it for them

as a parent this would annoy me so much that someone complained if it got removed!
what difference does it make that someone is watching you in person vs a screen?

I just don’t think anyone is watching anyone on a screen like this in a dodgy way. We have it at my kids pool and you have to really pay attention to figure out which one is your own kid as it covers the whole pool.

I’m guessing the purpose is to watch swimming lessons

People say it’s not a safeguarding issue but there is no staff member where the footage is being played. Anyone could film it if they have the room to themselves.

I wouldn’t like it either OP. Put your concerns in writing, it’s harder for them to ignore.

If you don't want to be seen in your swimming costume, don't go to public spaces. A commercial gym is not a private space.

You have no right to privacy except in the changing rooms and shower spaces.

CCTV doesn't allow the public to zoom in on you so there's very little focused image of you. Personally, if I were the sort to be worried, I'd be more worried about cameras where the viewers are not in public.

I think there's a level of paranoia/control here in your reaction that's worrying.

I’m surprised at the comments. There are laws around CCTV and when it should be used. Definitely worth putting your concerns to the gym in writing.

The one in our gym is 100% nothing to do with safety, it was to encourage parents to sit in the cafe and spend money.