Big Brother will start watching today

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) - A vast network of security cameras for the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and Whistler goes online today. The RCMP led Integrated Security Unit has installed more than 900 cameras that mostly cover Olympic venues, though another 100 cameras run by the City of Vancouver will be watching downtown streets.

The unprecedented deployment of electronic surveillance makes privacy watchdogs nervous and they've sought assurances from the authorities the networks will be dismantled as soon as the Games are over.  Mounties and the city say they're abiding by federal and provincial privacy rules and promise the systems will be turned off promptly.

NDP Public Safety Critic Mike Farnworth admits the electric eyes are a necessary evil and he's fine with them -- just as long as they remain temporary. "What I think the public expects and what they were lead to believe when the discussions took place was that these would be coming down after the Olympics and I want to make sure that is in fact what happens."

Any recordings from the cameras can only be kept for a limited time unless they're used as evidence in a court case.  Mounties claim the cameras are the only alternative to bringing on many more police officers.