Internet Cafes, Phone Kiosks Told to Install Security Cameras

The government has instructed the owners of all venues providing Internet and telephone access to the public to install security cameras on their premises to record the identity of users in an effort to crack down on terrorism and cyber-crime, states a government directive obtained yesterday. According to the Feb. 28 directive issued by the ministries of Interior and Telecommunications, all telecom operators, sales branches and sub-distributors will have to register their business addresses. All locations that provide public Internet and telephone access—such as Internet cafes and guesthouses—must install cameras to record each user and store the pictures for at least three months, according to the directive signed by Posts and Telecommunications Minister So Khun and Interior Minister Sar Kheng. … Phay Siphan, spokesman for the Council of Ministers, defended the initiative, saying there was no invasion of privacy. …