Surveillance on a domestic helper's workplace activities

Q: For the purpose of preventing child abuse by a domestic helper, is surveillance by a hidden camera allowed under the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance?

A: Child abuse cases committed on the part of domestic helpers are uncommon and highly exceptional. In order to warrant any consideration of installing hidden cameras for monitoring, the child concerned must exhibit inexplicable behavioural changes or signs of injury leading to a reasonable suspicion of child abuse. In other words, no camera is to be installed simply for the purpose of checking on the domestic helper generally and in no event should any camera be installed in the private areas of the home, such as the toilets or the maid¡¦s bedroom.