Waterloo arena cameras broadcasted summer camp participants unintentionally on live stream
LiveBarn Cameras Unwittingly Livestream Summer Camp: Incident Details and Response
A recent incident at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex has raised concerns about privacy and safety protocols, as LiveBarn cameras inadvertently livestreamed children participating in a summer camp. Here's a breakdown of the incident and the response from LiveBarn.
Incident Details
The cameras, part of a streaming partnership between LiveBarn and the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario, were designed to cover hockey games but were left active during the summer camps. Upon discovery, the campers were moved out of the arena, and the cameras were unplugged. LiveBarn blocked access to any online video related to the incident.
LiveBarn's Response
While the specific protocols LiveBarn has in place to prevent such incidents are not detailed, general practices for privacy and safety include subscription-based access, operational checks, investigation and collaboration, and transparency. LiveBarn is working with the City of Waterloo to determine how the livestream started and how long it was available.
Future Incident Prevention
To enhance protocols and prevent future incidents, LiveBarn might consider implementing routine checks to ensure cameras are not active during non-event times, strengthening access controls, providing clear information about incidents, and ensuring that staff and users understand the importance of camera activation and deactivation protocols.
The incident was due to a scheduling error, and LiveBarn has blocked access to any online video related to the incident. Investigations are underway in other cities where LiveBarn cameras were installed, and people who were at the Albert McCormick Community Centre have been contacted. The summer camps at the Albert McCormick Community Centre and the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex have been notified about the incident. The livestream occurred on Wednesday.
- The news of the LiveBarn cameras inadvertently livestreaming a summer camp has been included in general-news reports.
- Due to the incident, discussions about cybersecurity and privacy concerns have arisen in the context of sports video technology.
- In the realm of crime-and-justice, some have raised questions about whether LiveBarn's actions constitute a breach of privacy or an act of corporate negligence.
- As LiveBarn moves forward, they may look to improve their video technology not only in the sports sector but also in areas like crime-and-justice and general-news, ensuring they maintain a robust cybersecurity measures to prevent such incidents.
