Debated in Parliament on 2 Oct 2017.
Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the Ministry will consider regulating the use of dashboard cameras that face passengers in taxis and private hire cars so as to protect the privacy of passengers; and (b) whether the Ministry will consider protection for drivers against rogue passengers without compromising the privacy of passengers.
Approval must be sought from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) before inward-facing cameras can be installed in taxis and private hire cars. LTA will approve the installation if there are sufficient safeguards for passenger's privacy. For taxis, taxi companies have to undertake to ensure that the camera recordings can only be accessed by authorised personnel and will only be used for investigation purposes. Private hire car companies that wish to install inward-facing cameras must likewise seek approval from LTA and comply with similar requirements.
Taxi or private hire car drivers who encounter rogue passengers can approach their taxi or private hire car companies or the Police for assistance.
PAPERCUTS