Central Govt mandates body cameras for customs inspections at airports

Kochi: The Central Government has directed that customs inspections at airports must be recorded on camera, requiring officers conducting these checks to wear body-worn devices. According to an order issued on December 30, uniformed officers are now mandated to record both video and audio of passenger inspections, with a strict requirement to inform passengers in advance that they are being recorded.

The new guidelines specifically require officers assigned to baggage clearance to wear cameras while on duty in the Red Channel. Recording must commence as soon as the officer begins interacting with a passenger and continue until the inspection is complete. To ensure data security, only stand-alone cameras without Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or SIM capabilities are permitted for use.

The initiative is intended to help resolve any disputes that may arise during the inspection process, although the order explicitly emphasizes that passenger privacy must be respected. Strict protocols have been established for handling the equipment: officers must sign a log recording the exact time of collecting and returning the cameras, and the devices must be surrendered when officers take breaks or switch to other duties.

Regarding data management, the order stipulates that recorded footage must be transferred to a password-protected computer after every shift. The footage must not be altered or deleted and is required to be stored for a period of 90 days. The Customs and Vigilance departments have been instructed to review the footage at regular intervals to ensure compliance.