Are hidden cameras ethical? It is right to use them? How much will you pay for your so-called safety, especially when it might back fire on you? These are main questions that are debated over and over again when it comes to using hidden cameras. Whether ethical or not, it is undeniable that hidden cameras are extremely useful in various situations. This is especially true in case of commercial and high security establishments. Hidden cameras almost always come in useful in shops. From catching a shoplifter in the cat to keeping a tab on the employees, these cameras are indispensible.

High security establishments and places like casinos where a lot of money changes hands, hidden cameras add an extra layer of safety. A much needed one at that. They prevent illegal activities and crimes. However, it must be noted that in all of the examples the hidden cameras work in the favor of the one who is using them and only them. While they are working, these cameras actually work against everybody they are recording regardless of whether the person is a wrong doer or not.

It is not easy to understand why it does so immediately but it becomes clear when you realize that that all the footage is being recorded and archived. Someone with an ill intention can actually bribe an employee to obtain a copy of compromising footage featuring you. Worst of all, with everything going digital it is possible for a hacker to do this without anyone's knowledge. Where does that put the privacy of the innocent subject of the hidden camera footage?

Security has often been touted as the reason that makes it necessary for public places to feature hidden cameras. After the recent wave of terrorist attacks, it has been justified by the governments across many of the European countries as well as in the US. As you read this, thousands of such cameras the constantly watching in the city of London ? the world's most-monitored city. However, chances are that if you are reading this while sitting outdoors in a European or American city there are at least a few cameras watching you. Somebody in turn is watching those cameras and monitoring your every move. Now if you get up and hug your wife or kiss her, that footage is being recorded without your knowledge.

Now if you move on and meet a long lost female friend and hug her and walk off together, someone may easily conclude that you are cheating on your wife. The operator cannot hear what you are saying. He just knows that that person is not related to you from your information on the database to which he has access. The camera only sees, it does not hear. The camera's scope is also limited, so it cannot see everything. Thus, by isolating a subject and not seeing what he is reacting to can easily lead to a misinterpretation.

I will leave you with the main burning question ? who watches those who watch us?