Cameras are everywhere! Most business places have some sort of surveillance or closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera system that are used for safety and security purposes.
One place that people may wonder about cameras being is in movie theaters. While they are not meant for intimacy, we all know some of the happenings that go on in theaters. So, are these private moments in movie theaters actually ‘private’??
If you want to know if movie theaters have cameras, then you definitely need to continue reading.
Do Movie Theaters Have Cameras?
Yes, most movie theaters do have cameras for security reasons. Because they are placed in inconspicuous places, these cameras are not usually visible to the naked eye. Surveillance footage from theaters will likely be monitored by security personnel.
Why Do Movie Theaters Have Cameras?
There are a variety of reasons why movie theaters will have cameras, some of the most common are:
- Prevent Piracy
- Discourge Sexual Activity
- To Prevent Food Being Snuck In
- General Security
Let us take a more detailed look at each reason.
To Prevent Piracy
Movie theaters install security cameras mainly to deter piracy of movies. With movies that are only being shown in theaters, people will often record the movies secretly and upload them to bootleg movie sites. These sites distribute movies at little or no cost, causing the creators and theaters to lose money.
In Motion Picture Association study, it is estimated that theaters lose approximately 7% of their projected revenue each year to piracy. This is despite numerous laws regarding copyright infringement.
To Discourage Intimate/Sexual Activity
While kissing and cuddling are allowed in some theaters, it is not allowed in others. This is because it can make other movie goers uncomfortable, especially if there are children around. In addition, there are those people who may take things a little too far for management. The cameras are there to discourage just that!
To Prevent Food Being Snuck In
Movie theaters earn a part of their income from the snacks and food items that they sell. Due to the fact that they have a captive audience, they can charge premium prices
People oftentimes do not want to pay these hiked prices and will try to sneak in food that they buy elsewhere at a cheaper cost. To prevent this, some movie theaters will check bags and prevent certain sizes of bags from entering the theater.
Cameras are also a good way to spot delinquent movie goers.
For General Security
Theaters are just as exposed to criminal activity as other businesses. The presence of surveillance cameras will help to deter all types of criminal activity.
In addition to acting as a deterrence in the first instance, CCTV cameras can capture footage that helps in identifying criminals and solving criminal cases. This same footage can be used in court cases to prosecute the criminals if needs be.
Given recent shootings at movie theaters, many people feel safer where there are security cameras or other enhanced security measures. One of the worst shootings at a theater in US history left 12 people dead in Aurora, Colorado and many more wounded. While cameras will not necessarily prevent these instances, they will likely deter them.
What Type of Cameras Do Theaters Use?
CCTV cameras that support night vision are the most common in movie theaters. These cameras use special infrared technology that produces clear images even in low light. Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras are one specific type used.
These allow the theater’s security staff to see faces and activity in the seats, even if the photographs are black and white at night. As a consequence, they are able to prevent crimes, food smuggling, and other security concerns such as the ones mentioned above.
Is It Legal To Use Security Cameras In Theaters?
Private businesses definitely do have a right to record footage of their establishments for security purposes. US laws permit business operators to monitor their customers to prevent crime and other disturbances. Those same laws, fortunately, protect the persons in the videos as it prevents the unauthorized use of the footage captured.
Popular theaters such as AMC and Regal movie theaters utilize cameras to prevent piracy and other crimes.
Wrapping It Up
Movie theaters like many other businesses utilize security cameras for a myriad of reasons. If you are not okay with being recorded, then a movie theater is not for you, as everything inside the movie theater is monitored, whether you like it or not. In a theater, there is no such thing as privacy, and they are legally allowed to observe their audience.
Theaters must guard against piracy and verify that no one is recording the film. Furthermore, they employ surveillance cameras to deter illicit acts such as theft and food smuggling within the theater. They also keep an eye on what’s going on inside the cinema and ensure that everyone is safe.
So, don’t think of it as an invasion of your privacy, but as a necessary evil for the protection of their customers.
