'Spy' camera's beach watch sparks anger

City Telecom has been chided for installing a camera to film sunbathers on Deep Water Bay beach and broadcasting the images live on the Internet.

The Urban Services Department yesterday ordered the immediate removal of the camera after discovering the company was beaming out images of the beach filmed with the device, installed at a beach kiosk.

But the company defended itself against allegations of voyeurism and insisted the images put out were so general you could not identify individual bathers.

A department spokeswoman said: 'The use of such cameras is not included in our contract with the operator and so the camera was taken down this morning.' The Privacy Commission expressed 'serious concern' and renewed calls for new laws to protect individuals from inappropriate surveillance.

'The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data is seriously concerned about the intrusion of privacy in this circumstance and will follow up the matter,' a statement said.

'The commission is of the view that the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance can only be an auxiliary means of sanctioning inappropriate acts related to surveillance on individuals, and that current laws in this area in Hong Kong are inadequate.' City Telecom chairman Ricky Wong Wai-kay defended the Web programme, which also offers live broadcast of cats at a pet shop and other 'info-tainment' on popular culture for youngsters since it started on Wednesday.