Closed-circuit television facts for kids
Closed-circuit television (CCTV), also known as video surveillance, uses special cameras. These cameras send video signals to a few specific screens, not to everyone like regular TV. The signal travels through wires or wirelessly to a limited number of viewers.
CCTV is mostly used for surveillance, which means watching over places. It helps keep areas safe or monitors things that need constant attention. For example, it's used in places that need extra security.
This technology has become very popular worldwide. It helps keep an eye on public spaces and prevent problems. However, people often discuss how to balance safety with everyone's right to privacy, even when they are in public.
In places like factories, CCTV helps workers watch dangerous areas from a safe control room. These systems can record all the time or only when something happens. Modern CCTV uses digital video recorders (DVRs) to save video for a long time. They can even detect movement and send alerts. Newer IP cameras can record directly to storage devices or the internet.
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The Story of CCTV
CCTV has a long history! A Russian scientist named Leon Theremin created an early mechanical CCTV system in 1927. It was used to watch visitors at the Moscow Kremlin.
Later, in 1942, a company called Siemens AG used CCTV in Germany. They watched V-2 rocket launches from a safe distance. In the United States, the first commercial CCTV system, called "Vericon," came out in 1949. It used cables to connect cameras to monitors.
How CCTV Technology Grew
At first, CCTV systems needed someone to watch them all the time. There was no easy way to record the video. Then, reel-to-reel tapes allowed recording, but changing tapes was a lot of work.
In the 1970s, videocassette recorders (VCRs) made recording much simpler. This helped CCTV become more common. By the 1990s, new digital tools allowed many cameras to record at once. They could even record only when motion was detected. This made CCTV more efficient and popular. Today, CCTV is moving towards internet-based systems.
Where CCTV Was First Used
CCTV was first used by police in London between 1960 and 1965. By 1963, it helped monitor traffic in Munich, Germany. For a while, CCTV was also used to show big sports events like professional boxing and professional wrestling in theaters. People paid to watch these events live on special screens.
Famous boxing matches, like "The Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974, had millions of CCTV viewers. Even WrestleMania I in 1985 was seen by over a million people this way. While home pay-per-view took over later, CCTV is still used for live events in venues today.
In 1968, Olean, New York, was one of the first US cities to install street cameras to help keep the city safe. Marie Van Brittan Brown also patented a home security system using CCTV in 1969. By the 1980s, CCTV cameras started appearing in many public places. They were seen as a way to help prevent problems. Businesses, banks, and stores also began using them to deter theft. By 1997, New York City had thousands of CCTV systems in public areas. The UK also started using CCTV in public spaces in the 1980s, with King's Lynn being an early example in 1987.
How CCTV Is Used Today
Cameras Worn by People
In recent years, people have started using body-worn video cameras. For example, police officers wear these cameras on their chests or heads. They help record what happens during their work. In 2016, nearly half of all police agencies in the United States used body-worn cameras.
Watching Traffic Flow
Many cities use CCTV to watch how traffic moves. These cameras help manage busy roads and highways. Some cameras are owned by private companies and send traffic data to GPS systems.
Highways England has over 3,000 cameras watching British motorways. These cameras check traffic conditions, but they are not used as speed cameras. The London congestion charge uses cameras to read license plates. This helps make sure drivers pay to enter certain zones. CCTV also helps find cars that have been reported stolen.
In Mecca, Saudi Arabia, CCTV cameras help manage large crowds of people. In the Philippines, some areas used CCTV with smart software to spot crowds during a disease outbreak. This helped security teams respond quickly.
In Homes and Buildings
In Schools
Many schools in countries like the US, UK, and Canada use CCTV. It helps prevent bullying and vandalism. Cameras also monitor visitors and record events if something goes wrong.
However, cameras are usually not placed in private areas like bathrooms or locker rooms. They are common in parking lots and cafeterias. Some teachers have concerns about cameras in schools. Studies show that students' opinions on school cameras depend on how they feel about their teachers and school rules. Most students prefer not to have cameras inside classrooms.
In Private and Public Places
Many people install CCTV systems in or around their homes. Modern systems can be watched using phone apps from anywhere with internet. Some even send alerts if they detect movement.
On trains without a separate driver, CCTV helps the driver see if doors are clear before closing them. Stores and shopping malls often use CCTV to help prevent theft. In some countries, malls need special permission to install cameras. Some workplaces also use CCTV to monitor what workers are doing.
Many sports stadiums use CCTV to show the game on big screens or in hallways. This lets people watch the action even when they are not in their seats. Some football clubs have even used facial recognition with CCTV to let fans enter easily.
How Many Cameras Are There?
In Asia
About 65% of the world's CCTV cameras are in Asia. They are used in businesses, transportation, sports, and for environmental care.
In 2018, China had over 170 million CCTV cameras. By 2023, estimates suggested China had between 540 and 626 million cameras. Beijing, China's capital, has the most cameras for a city, with 1.15 million. These cameras can record details like gender and age. In India, cities like Hyderabad and Delhi have hundreds of thousands of cameras. Chennai has one of the highest densities of cameras worldwide.
South Korea's military removed over 1,300 Chinese cameras from its bases for security reasons. Hong Kong police plan to install up to 7,000 cameras by 2027. These cameras might use facial recognition. This plan has raised concerns about privacy. In Japan, there were about 5 million security cameras in 2018. Singapore had around 90,000 CCTVs in 2021.
In the Americas
In 2009, Chicago had about 15,000 CCTV systems, many connected to a city-wide network. New York City's system links 6,000 cameras. The subway system has over 4,000 cameras. Many large buildings also use video surveillance. Washington, D.C. has over 30,000 cameras in schools and nearly 6,000 in its metro system.
In 2011, there were an estimated 30 million surveillance cameras in the United States. This number grew to about 70 million by 2018. After the September 11 attacks, more cameras were installed in public places to help keep people safe. Government grants helped cities install these camera networks.
In Canada, Project SCRAM helps people register their home security systems. It also helps them understand privacy and safety issues.
In Latin America, CCTV use is growing quickly due to concerns about property safety. In Brazil, CCTV is only allowed in public areas, and people must be told if cameras are present. However, a project in Brazil called Smart Sampa plans to install 20,000 facial recognition cameras by 2024. This project has raised concerns about fairness and how the technology might be used.
In Russia
In 2017, Moscow had 160,000 CCTV cameras, covering 95% of residential buildings. Over 3,500 Russian cameras were connected to a central data system. Video recordings help solve many problems and keep people safe. By 2024, Russia had over 1 million video surveillance cameras. About 230,000 of these are in Moscow alone. One in three CCTVs in Russia were connected to a facial recognition system.
In Europe
In the United Kingdom
In the UK, most CCTV cameras are owned by private people or companies, especially inside shops. Local governments operate about 52,000 cameras across the UK.
In 2011, one estimate suggested there were 1.85 million private and local government cameras in the UK. This means about one camera for every 32 people. Another older study in 2002 estimated 4.2 million cameras, but its methods were later found to be less accurate. The CCTV User Group estimated around 1.5 million cameras in city centers, stations, and airports. Scotland alone has over 2,200 public space CCTV cameras. The UK is often said to have one of the highest numbers of CCTV cameras in Europe.
In Africa
In South Africa, CCTV surveillance is very common to help keep people safe. The first IP camera came out in 1996, but they arrived in South Africa in 2008. In Egypt, Cairo has about 47,000 cameras, and the New Administrative Capital has over 6,000. In South Sudan, CCTV cameras in Juba were restarted after being off for four years. South Sudan also launched a drone security system in 2024.
Privacy Concerns
People who support CCTV say cameras help prevent problems and keep places safe. They believe that rules and laws can protect people's right to privacy in public spaces. This way, safety benefits can outweigh privacy concerns.
However, people who worry about surveillance say everyone has a right to privacy, even in public. They believe that many cameras, especially when linked to databases of people's faces, can reduce civil liberties and the feeling of anonymity. This means people might feel constantly watched and identified.
Some experts argue that CCTV should only be used in very specific situations. For example, if a place has a clear and serious history of problems.
Laws About CCTV in Different Countries
In the United States, the Constitution doesn't directly mention a right to privacy. However, the Supreme Court has said that other amendments imply this right. Getting access to CCTV recordings usually needs a judge's order. There are not many specific laws just for video surveillance. In Canada, CCTV use has grown fast. Laws in Ontario explain how images and information from cameras can be collected and shared.
All countries in the European Union follow the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects individual rights, including privacy. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) says that video footage should only be kept for as long as needed. In Sweden, laws regulate CCTV in public spaces. A 2017 poll showed that 43% of Swedes wanted clear rules for managing and storing camera footage. Another poll in 2019 found that 88% of Swedes had a positive view of CCTV in public spaces. Most people did not feel their privacy was violated by cameras in city centers or parks.
In the United Kingdom, the Data Protection Act 1998 sets rules for using CCTV recordings. It also requires CCTV systems to be registered. In 2007, a group claimed many UK cameras were used illegally. However, the Information Commissioner's Office said they investigate any reported misuse. Despite some privacy worries, more businesses in the UK are still installing CCTV. In 2012, the UK government passed the Protection of Freedoms Act. This law includes rules for storing and using information about people. A code of practice for surveillance cameras was published in 2013.
In the Philippines, the main laws for CCTV are the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. These laws ensure that people's privacy is respected. They also make it a crime to access CCTV footage without permission.
New CCTV Technologies
Smart Cameras
New computer-controlled cameras can identify and track objects. This is called video analytics. These smart cameras can measure how fast objects move. They can also apply rules, like who is allowed in a certain area. Some cameras process data themselves, while others send it to a central computer. Artificial intelligence (AI) cameras are being tested to detect crowds, recognize faces, and even predict problems.
Storing Video
Storing all the video from CCTV systems can be costly. The amount and quality of video saved depends on how much it's compressed. It also depends on how many images are saved per second and how long the videos are kept. DVRs save videos in different formats. CCTV cameras can store video on a local hard drive, an SD card, or in the cloud. Recordings are usually kept for a set time, then automatically saved, recorded over, or deleted.
IP Cameras
A growing type of CCTV is internet protocol cameras, or IP cameras. In 2014, IP cameras started selling more than older analog cameras. IP cameras use the same internet technology as most computer networks. They send video digitally across these networks. IP cameras can even send video over the public internet. This lets people view their cameras remotely using a computer or phone. IP cameras are part of the Internet of things (IoT). They have similar benefits and security risks as other internet-connected devices. Smart doorbells are an example of CCTV that uses IP to send alerts.
There are different kinds of IP cameras, like fixed cameras, pan–tilt–zoom (PTZ) cameras, and multi-sensor cameras. PTZ cameras can be moved and zoomed in remotely. Multi-sensor cameras can watch wider areas. For professional use, IP video is often kept within a private network for security.
Connecting CCTV Cameras
The city of Chicago has a large network of video surveillance. It combines CCTV feeds from government agencies and private businesses. This includes cameras in city buses, schools, and subway stations. Even homeowners can share their camera footage. This system uses video from about 15,000 cameras. If there's an emergency call, the system can show the nearest camera's live video to the operator. This helps them respond quickly. The system also stores video for use as evidence.
Wireless Security Cameras
Many people are choosing wireless security cameras for their homes. Wireless cameras don't need a video cable; they just need power. They are also easy and cheap to install. Older wireless cameras used analog technology. Modern ones use digital technology, which is more secure and has less interference. Some cameras even use solar power. Wireless IP cameras can connect to a home Wi-Fi network.
Talking CCTV
In 2003, a new type of CCTV called "Talking CCTV" was tested in the UK. This system lets camera operators speak through the camera's speaker when needed. In 2005, the mayor of Middlesbrough put "Talking CCTV" into use in his town. Other towns have also installed these cameras.
Ways to Block Cameras
In 2016, special sunglasses called "reflectacles" were invented. They reflect infrared light and can also reflect visible light. This makes the wearer's face appear as a white blur to cameras. These glasses became available in 2017.
See also
In Spanish: Circuito cerrado de televisión para niños
- Artificial intelligence for video surveillance
- Bugging
- "CATV" as cable television—not to be confused with CCTV
- Closed-circuit television camera
- Day and night camera
- Effio, uncompressed analog streaming video format
- Eye in the sky (camera)
- Fake security camera
- INDECT
- IP camera
- Security operations center
- Security smoke
- Smart camera
- Sousveillance (inverse surveillance)
- Surveillance
- The Convention on Modern Liberty
- TV Network Protocol
- Under vehicle inspection
- Video content analysis
- Digital evidence
- Videotelephony
- Washington County Closed-Circuit Educational Television Project
- Surveillance drone
 | Kyle Baker |
 | Joseph Yoakum |
 | Laura Wheeler Waring |
 | Henry Ossawa Tanner |
