NBTC raids warehouse, seizing over 6,000 illegal CCTV cameras linked to privacy risks
Beyond legal violations, these uncertified devices pose a severe threat to national security and user privacy, with data reportedly being shared with foreign entities without consent.
- Thai authorities, led by the NBTC, raided a Bangkok warehouse and seized 6,606 illegal CCTV camera sets and 501 foreign SIM cards.
- The cameras were deemed illegal because they were sold without the required frequency authorization and standard certification, violating the Radiocommunications Act.
- These devices pose significant privacy risks due to security vulnerabilities and an associated application that collects and shares users' personal data with foreign entities.
- In addition to privacy concerns, the unauthorized cameras can cause signal interference with critical communication systems like Wi-Fi, mobile phones, and government networks.
The Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), in collaboration with relevant agencies, arrested entrepreneurs for selling and installing unauthorised frequency-using CCTV cameras, or "illegal CCTV cameras," in Soi Lat Phrao 101, Bang Kapi District, Bangkok, on February 12.
Trairat Viriyasirikul, Deputy Secretary-General and Acting Secretary-General of the NBTC, assigned Chaturon Choksawat, Assistant Secretary-General of the NBTC, along with the "Phra Phai" special operations task force and officers from the Telecommunications Business Regulation Bureau, to carry out the NBTC's inspection and monitoring of frequency usage.
It was discovered that several entrepreneurs had imported and sold CCTV cameras without permission to use the frequencies, and these devices had not passed the NBTC's standard certification as required by law.
The on-site inspection revealed that the company owner is a Chinese national with a Thai caretaker.
They were using a commercial building in Soi Lat Phrao 101 as a storage facility and for online sales.
During this operation, officers searched and seized 6,606 sets of illegal CCTV equipment for inspection, along with 501 foreign SIM cards linked to prepaid accounts via applications, with an estimated total value of THB10.5 million.
The Office of the NBTC has filed a formal complaint to prosecute the distributors and warehouse operators.
They are liable under the Radiocommunications Act 1955 and its amendments, which carry a penalty of imprisonment not exceeding 5 years, a fine not exceeding THB100,000, or both.
They may also face charges under the Telecommunications Business Act 2001 if further investigation reveals they were operating a telecommunications business without authorisation.
Trairat stated that using unauthorised frequencies for illegal CCTV cameras is not only against the law but also causes signal interference with other telecommunications systems operating in the same frequency band, such as wireless internet (Wi-Fi), mobile phones, and government communication systems.
This could potentially affect the stability and security of the country.
Furthermore, substandard equipment may contain data security vulnerabilities, increasing the risk of being hacked and allowing access to the personal data of homeowners or users.
The Office of the NBTC offers the following advice to the public on how to legally purchase and use CCTV cameras:
- Purchase from reliable vendors by choosing shops or authorised dealers with business licenses, and ask to see the product's standard certification documents before deciding to buy.
- Beware of unusually cheap products. Items priced significantly lower than the market rate may be substandard or illegal. Do not fall for advertisements claiming they are genuine but selling at a much lower price than usual.
- For online purchases, check reviews and the seller's credibility. Inquire about standard certification before ordering, and keep records of the purchase and conversations with the seller as evidence.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), acting as a collaborative agency with the NBTC, investigated its Personal Data Breach Surveillance Centre (PDPC Eagle Eye).
The findings revealed that the seized CCTV cameras require consumers to operate them via an application that lacks security.
According to its Privacy Policy, personal data is collected through the CCTV cameras and shared with various foreign-based entities.
This poses a risk if Thai users lack the knowledge and understanding that their personal data is being shared abroad.
