Mobile phone detection cameras in New South Wales checked after a photo of a woman’s skirt was taken to fine her
The compromising photo forces an urgent review on mobile phone cameras when the driver hit with the ticket reveals how the lawyer reacted when he was shown it
- A mobile detection camera captured a woman’s skirt
- A review has been released to the cameras.
A review of mobile phone detection cameras has been launched after one took a compromising image of a woman, raising privacy concerns.
Cinzia Lee raised the matter after she was photographed using her phone while driving in Sydney, something she owns and takes full responsibility for.
However, it was the photo that accompanied his ticket in the mail that set off alarm bells.
“My initial reaction was shock and anguish,” Lee told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.
“You could see under my skirt, between my legs, you could see my underwear.”
He contacted Service New South Wales to make a complaint.
Mobile phone cameras have been in use in NSW since March 2020 and typically have a black bar placed over any sensitive content.
Cinzia Lee was shocked to find a compromising phone camera photo showing her skirt
“I received a response letter that basically ignored everything I said except to say that someone in the office looks at the photos, so I felt that was not an acceptable response,” Ms. Lee said.
She spoke to a prosecutor, who suffered some embarrassment over the matter.
“He turned totally red and flushed,” Ms. Lee said.
He said I’m sorry this happened.
Ms. Lee raised the issue when her indictment came before the court, and although the magistrates conceded that the sensitive content of the image was beyond their control, he waived the fine.
A review of mobile phone detection cameras has been released
“This is probably happening more than we realize,” Ms Lee added.
“You feel a bit like David against Goliath, because you have no control over who has seen those photos…it’s a really horrible feeling.”
NSW Minister for Roads Natalie Ward said in a statement: “I understand the distress and have asked Transport for NSW to review protocols for handling sensitive imagery.”
Mobile phone detection cameras have been in use in NSW since March 2020, with trials underway since November 2022 to enable the cameras to also detect seat belt offences.