Medical institutions reach 4 consensuses on video recording: Covert cameras prohibited, patient consent required for low-privacy clinics
Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare established four consensuses regarding video recording in medical institutions: strict prohibition of covert recording devices, permission for regular security cameras in public areas, recording with patient consent in low-privacy consultation rooms, and general prohibition in high-privacy areas.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 20:25
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 20:32 (6 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chieh-ling, Taipei 13th) The Ministry of Health and Welfare today consulted on video recording in medical institutions and reached 4 points of consensus: strictly prohibiting the use of covert recording equipment, allowing the installation of normal cameras for public safety in public areas, allowing recording with patient consent in low-privacy spaces such as general consultation rooms, and generally prohibiting recording in high-privacy spaces such as operating rooms.
Following a series of suspected covert filming incidents in cosmetic clinics, the Department of Medical Affairs of the Ministry of Health and Welfare held a meeting this afternoon. Representatives from local health bureaus, the National Medical Association, the Medical Center Association, the Regional Hospital Association, the Community Hospital Association, the Grassroots Medical Association, and four medical aesthetics groups attended to discuss strengthening patient privacy protection, including whether to conduct a comprehensive inspection. Four major consensuses were successfully reached.
Liu Yueh-ping, Director of the Department of Medical Affairs of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated in an interview with the media this evening that the first consensus is that medical institutions are prohibited from using covert recording equipment. The medical community and the Ministry of Health and Welfare share the same attitude of zero tolerance for covert filming. Using disguised hidden recording devices, such as those disguised as smoke detectors, is strictly prohibited, regardless of the reason. "Claiming that covert recorders prevent medical disputes is simply nonsense."
The second point is the principles for installing equipment in public spaces of medical institutions. For public safety reasons, fixed video recording equipment can be installed. Liu Yueh-ping emphasized that these surveillance cameras must not be pinhole cameras, but normal surveillance equipment. According to the Personal Data Protection Act, although recording in public spaces does not require patient consent, the obligation to inform must be fulfilled by posting notices in prominent locations that public spaces are being recorded.
The third point is the principles for installing equipment in low-privacy clinical areas. Patients should be informed before recording, and written consent must be obtained. The informed items include data access and storage management. Liu Yueh-ping explained that low-privacy spaces include medical consultation meeting rooms, and general consultation rooms for ophthalmology, otolaryngology, dentistry, etc., where private parts will not be filmed. Recording is allowed, but patient consent must be obtained.
The fourth point is that recording is generally prohibited in high-privacy spaces. Liu Yueh-ping said that high-privacy spaces include operating rooms, internal examination rooms, changing rooms, etc. However, exceptions are allowed, such as for teaching purposes, but only partial filming is permitted, and the patient should be informed and written consent obtained before recording can proceed.
Liu Yueh-ping stated that relevant regulations for written consent forms for consultation room photography are currently being drafted, and a public version of the consent form is expected to be completed within 3 months. In addition, privacy protection guidelines will be updated within 3 months and will clearly follow parent laws such as the Personal Data Protection Act. Local health authorities should conduct annual inspections, and this year's supervisory assessment重點 (key points) will be the proper installation and management of surveillance cameras.
Liu Yueh-ping said that general medical institutions do not use pinhole cameras, and if pinhole camera use is discovered, it will be transferred to the investigative unit for legal action. Currently, the number of illegal cases will be confirmed first, and then administrative penalties will be imposed. The health bureaus will be assisted as soon as possible to clarify the list of medical institutions using pinhole cameras to avoid omissions in penalties, and the follow-up is planned to be completed next week. (Edited by Chen Ching-fang) 1150513
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(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chieh-ling, Taipei 13th) The Ministry of Health and Welfare today consulted on video recording in medical institutions and reached 4 points of consensus: strictly prohibiting the use of covert recording equipment, allowing the installation of normal cameras for public safety in public areas, allowing recording with patient consent in low-privacy spaces such as general consultation rooms, and generally prohibiting recording in high-privacy spaces such as operating rooms.
Following a series of suspected covert filming incidents in cosmetic clinics, the Department of Medical Affairs of the Ministry of Health and Welfare held a meeting this afternoon. Representatives from local health bureaus, the National Medical Association, the Medical Center Association, the Regional Hospital Association, the Community Hospital Association, the Grassroots Medical Association, and four medical aesthetics groups attended to discuss strengthening patient privacy protection, including whether to conduct a comprehensive inspection. Four major consensuses were successfully reached.
Liu Yueh-ping, Director of the Department of Medical Affairs of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated in an interview with the media this evening that the first consensus is that medical institutions are prohibited from using covert recording equipment. The medical community and the Ministry of Health and Welfare share the same attitude of zero tolerance for covert filming. Using disguised hidden recording devices, such as those disguised as smoke detectors, is strictly prohibited, regardless of the reason. "Claiming that covert recorders prevent medical disputes is simply nonsense."
The second point is the principles for installing equipment in public spaces of medical institutions. For public safety reasons, fixed video recording equipment can be installed. Liu Yueh-ping emphasized that these surveillance cameras must not be pinhole cameras, but normal surveillance equipment. According to the Personal Data Protection Act, although recording in public spaces does not require patient consent, the obligation to inform must be fulfilled by posting notices in prominent locations that public spaces are being recorded.
The third point is the principles for installing equipment in low-privacy clinical areas. Patients should be informed before recording, and written consent must be obtained. The informed items include data access and storage management. Liu Yueh-ping explained that low-privacy spaces include medical consultation meeting rooms, and general consultation rooms for ophthalmology, otolaryngology, dentistry, etc., where private parts will not be filmed. Recording is allowed, but patient consent must be obtained.
The fourth point is that recording is generally prohibited in high-privacy spaces. Liu Yueh-ping said that high-privacy spaces include operating rooms, internal examination rooms, changing rooms, etc. However, exceptions are allowed, such as for teaching purposes, but only partial filming is permitted, and the patient should be informed and written consent obtained before recording can proceed.
Liu Yueh-ping stated that relevant regulations for written consent forms for consultation room photography are currently being drafted, and a public version of the consent form is expected to be completed within 3 months. In addition, privacy protection guidelines will be updated within 3 months and will clearly follow parent laws such as the Personal Data Protection Act. Local health authorities should conduct annual inspections, and this year's supervisory assessment重點 (key points) will be the proper installation and management of surveillance cameras.
Liu Yueh-ping said that general medical institutions do not use pinhole cameras, and if pinhole camera use is discovered, it will be transferred to the investigative unit for legal action. Currently, the number of illegal cases will be confirmed first, and then administrative penalties will be imposed. The health bureaus will be assisted as soon as possible to clarify the list of medical institutions using pinhole cameras to avoid omissions in penalties, and the follow-up is planned to be completed next week. (Edited by Chen Ching-fang) 1150513
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
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Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, or transmitted publicly without authorization.