Big Brother's own crowdsourcing project will be delayed over privacy concerns

A company that wants to pay internet users to watch CCTV camera feeds and report on suspicious activity has been dealt a setback from the Internet Commissioner's Office, which has launched an investigation into the possible legal ramifications of the Internet Eyes service.

Assistant information commissioner Jonathan Bamford, speaking to tech news website The Register, said that "CCTV operators should use appropriately trained staff to monitor images. If a CCTV system is established to help prevent and detect crime, it would be appropriate to disclose images to law enforcement agencies where a crime needs to be investigated".

The BBC reports that "the company had initially offered to pay out up to £1,000 if registered viewers spotted shoplifting or other crimes in progress. However, civil liberties campaigners had said the idea was 'distasteful' in asking private citizens to spy on each other".

Internet Eyes contends that its service would be a boon to public safety, enabling citizens to report crimes in progress without fear of retribution and that the company "[rewards] people for their vigilance", according to the BBC.