The use of cameras for law enforcement is a worldwide trend, but the capability of the technology to store vast amounts of data on people has raised concerns. In 2006, Canada's privacy commissioner adopted a set of guidelines for police and other law-enforcement agencies wishing to install cameras to monitor the public. The guidelines state that:
Video surveillance should only be deployed to address a real, pressing and substantial problem;
Video surveillance should be viewed as an exceptional step, only to be taken in the absence of a less privacy-invasive alternative;
The impact of the proposed video surveillance on privacy should be assessed before it is undertaken;
Public consultation should precede any decision to introduce video surveillance;
The video surveillance must be consistent with applicable laws;
It should be tailored to minimise the impact on privacy;