What a modern Security camera looks like
Technology is advancing and people's perceptions change. Security cameras are almost everywhere nowadays, and they raise a number of halachic issues.
Perhaps the first lesson we may draw from the ubiquitous cameras are an increased consciousness of the constant Heavenly surveillance, that "all your deeds are written in a book."
Now there is hardly any place without a security system, beginning with the ever-present security cameras and then there are the alarms which are activated upon any change or unusual movement. There is the `smart house' system which runs an entire household in a most efficient digital manner, and the smoke and fire alarms, including all types of sensor devices activating all kinds of systems.
Even chareidi areas which cope with different kinds of challenges, incorporate these systems increasingly. One can find security cameras in many homes, institutions, businesses and many kinds of places. A Smart Home network and other systems geared to provide answers to safety and security from robbery and other threats, do so in a very sophisticated manner through digital devices.
In the recent period, due to the prevalent conditions in the world, there has developed a great demand for the various security systems.
And like all other digital products, here, too, there have arisen many issues relevant to the Shomer Shabbos public. Many of the possible pitfalls have already reached the desks of our Torah leaders to be dealt with in a proper practical form.
The many questions which arrived were very wide-ranging, beginning with general, basic questions such as if it is permissible to install such systems in homes, institutions and businesses to begin with since they incorporate so many sub-devices within the main system. How can these be adapted to permissible usage and which allowances could be made? Could one use them altogether or even stay in places like hotels where they operate? Many other aspects had to be clarified as well.
Our gedolim appealed to the rabbonim of Mishmeres haShabbos, headed by HaRav Eliyohu Beifus, asking that they immerse themselves thoroughly and investigate the entire subject so that halachic policy and decisions could be made and practical guidance provided in the use of these systems.
