Medical institutions' surveillance camera installation: Public spaces can be recorded without explicit signage
Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang stated that surveillance cameras installed in public spaces of medical institutions generally do not require additional consent or signage, as long as they are not targeting specific individuals. This statement comes amidst ongoing concerns about voyeurism in aesthetic clinics.
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 11:22
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 11:31 (9 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 12, 2026 at 02:13 (14h 41m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chieh-ling, Taipei, 11th) Concerns about voyeurism in aesthetic clinics continue to spread, leading to worries that "any recording in medical institutions constitutes an invasion of privacy." Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang said today that recording equipment installed in public areas usually does not require additional consent or signage if it is not targeting specific individuals.
The Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Health Environment Committee today reviewed the 2026 central government general budget for the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Shih Chung-liang was present and was asked by the media before the meeting about the recent discovery of suspected pinhole cameras hidden in smoke detectors at the Banqiao branch of Aierli Clinic, which triggered a chain reaction, including concerns about the necessity of installing surveillance cameras in medical institutions.
Regarding whether surveillance cameras can be installed in public spaces of medical institutions and if patient consent is required, Shih Chung-liang said that guidelines for privacy in medical institutions have been established, and recording equipment is primarily installed in public areas to ensure safety. Generally, regulations for recording in public spaces do not require special notification or consent, such as surveillance cameras in train stations and MRTs.
Shih Chung-liang stated that as long as surveillance cameras installed in medical institutions are not targeting specific individuals, the law usually does not require additional consent or signage. If recording is conducted in consultation spaces, prior informed consent from the patient must be obtained. After this incident, relevant departments will hold another meeting to more clearly require the implementation of regulations.
Shih Chung-liang pointed out that for cases of improper surveillance camera installation in some aesthetic clinics, local government health bureaus have been asked to conduct inspections of medical institutions under their jurisdiction, and about 4 such clinics have been identified. This behavior is highly unacceptable, and therefore the most severe penalties will be imposed, with closures enforced according to law.
Shih Chung-liang said that if a clinic's involvement in voyeurism is confirmed, it may violate legal provisions, including Article 72 of the Medical Care Act regarding improper disclosure of patient information, Article 108, Paragraph 6 and 7 of the same act involving prevention of harm and obstruction of public morals, and improper handling of overcharged fees. More seriously, it may violate Article 6 of the Personal Data Protection Act, involving improper collection of special personal data, which is a criminal offense. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150511
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(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chieh-ling, Taipei, 11th) Concerns about voyeurism in aesthetic clinics continue to spread, leading to worries that "any recording in medical institutions constitutes an invasion of privacy." Minister of Health and Welfare Shih Chung-liang said today that recording equipment installed in public areas usually does not require additional consent or signage if it is not targeting specific individuals.
The Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Health Environment Committee today reviewed the 2026 central government general budget for the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Shih Chung-liang was present and was asked by the media before the meeting about the recent discovery of suspected pinhole cameras hidden in smoke detectors at the Banqiao branch of Aierli Clinic, which triggered a chain reaction, including concerns about the necessity of installing surveillance cameras in medical institutions.
Regarding whether surveillance cameras can be installed in public spaces of medical institutions and if patient consent is required, Shih Chung-liang said that guidelines for privacy in medical institutions have been established, and recording equipment is primarily installed in public areas to ensure safety. Generally, regulations for recording in public spaces do not require special notification or consent, such as surveillance cameras in train stations and MRTs.
Shih Chung-liang stated that as long as surveillance cameras installed in medical institutions are not targeting specific individuals, the law usually does not require additional consent or signage. If recording is conducted in consultation spaces, prior informed consent from the patient must be obtained. After this incident, relevant departments will hold another meeting to more clearly require the implementation of regulations.
Shih Chung-liang pointed out that for cases of improper surveillance camera installation in some aesthetic clinics, local government health bureaus have been asked to conduct inspections of medical institutions under their jurisdiction, and about 4 such clinics have been identified. This behavior is highly unacceptable, and therefore the most severe penalties will be imposed, with closures enforced according to law.
Shih Chung-liang said that if a clinic's involvement in voyeurism is confirmed, it may violate legal provisions, including Article 72 of the Medical Care Act regarding improper disclosure of patient information, Article 108, Paragraph 6 and 7 of the same act involving prevention of harm and obstruction of public morals, and improper handling of overcharged fees. More seriously, it may violate Article 6 of the Personal Data Protection Act, involving improper collection of special personal data, which is a criminal offense. (Editor: Kuan Chung-wei) 1150511
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.