Soon, PHV & Taxis Will Be Allowed to Have Inward-Facing Devices That Record Audio, Too

By
George Yang
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The “is it because I’m Chinese” had made us understand a number of things:

  1. PHV and taxi drivers can have inward-facing video-recording device but there must be a sign that inform the passengers, and the footage cannot be shared online
  2. Sharing the footage online could result in severe consequences, like a revoke of the PVDL
  3. There are people who’ll go all out to siam the ERP

So, if you’re like me, you’ll go…

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…after reading the headline.

I thought it’s allowed all along?

Well, apparently not.

The inward-facing device, previously, can only technically record footage but not audio.

By right, it’s an offence to record the audio, and the reason is simple: it’s to prevent drivers from taping the commuters’ conversation.

I mean, Andy Hui and Jacqueline Wong would fully understand that.

But soon, this is set to change.

LTA Allowing Device to Record Audio as Well

Today, LTA decided that the number of “is it because I’m Chinese” is too damn high, so soon, they’ll allow drivers to record both the visual and the audio.

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The reason? It’s to help support inappropriate behaviour or disrupts.

Imagine there’s no audio in the “is it because I’m Chinese” video. That Ah Bang is definitely working in another job now.

LTA explained,” Audio recordings will now be allowed in inward-facing (in-vehicle recording devices), in addition to video recordings…This makes the recordings more effective in supporting investigations into inappropriate or violent behaviour as well as fare-related disputes.”

Well, actually, while LTA makes the decision, a poll might have influenced the decision.

REACH Poll of 1,000 People

Lest you’re not aware, the Government has a platform to get feedback from Singaporeans. Back in the past, before the Internet took over the world, it was merely a Feedback Unit. Now, they’ve gone online because netizens complain the most that’s where most people are nowadays. Of course, the traditional feedback channels are still available because you can’t expect your grandparents to go online, can you?

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Called REACH (which stands for reaching everyone for active citizenry @ home), you can submit your feedback or join their e-polls. It’s the closest thing to being a Member of Parliament.

So, in a poll by REACH, it turns out that 64% of the people think that PHVs and taxis should have an inward-facing camera. And out of that 64%, 91% of them think that the camera should be able to capture both footage and audio.

LTA’s Reach to People

You should know by now that the team managing LTA Facebook Page has just learned hashtags (if you don’t, you need to come to our app daily), and they’ve come out with this new hashtag: #GetPermissionFirst

Here’s their post:

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Now, do note that it’ll be allowed soon, and not immediate.

Which of course leads to another question: Does it mean that the Go-Jek Ah Bang has actually committed another offence, since he recorded the audio as well?

But hey, that’s over and for all you know, his case could have somehow influenced this decision #justsaying

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George Yang
Email: [email protected]