>The designers seem to have struck a neat balance between discreetness when it's switched off and conspicuity when it's switched on. Covert body-worn cameras a

>The designers seem to have struck a neat balance between discreetness when it's switched off and conspicuity when it's switched on. Covert body-worn cameras are a well-established technology, but a completely different class of device. A bodycam records people who know that they are being recorded, which has substantial behavioural and legal implications. Current bodycams are - often intentionally - very conspicuous even when they're turned off. They're big blocky devices and some of them have bright yellow markings that say "VIDEO & AUDIO". That's potentially useful as a deterrent, but it's also a bit hostile because it clearly implies a degree of caution or suspicion on the part of whoever is wearing it. A bodycam that's subtle and non-threatening when turned off but very visible when turned on is a different class of device again. If I were a nurse, there's no way in hell that I'd wear a covert camera unless I had a very clear reason for doing so and very strong assurances that it's legally above board. If I did wear one, I'd be constantly worried that someone would find out, because I'd be furious if the shoe were on the other foot. Unless the hospital was genuinely so dangerous that I was constantly worried for my safety, I'd be very reluctant to wear a big lump of a bodycam, because it's going to put a lot of my patients on their guard when that absolutely isn't warranted. I'd be quite happy to wear one of these cameras. Unless I turn it on, most people aren't going to notice it; If they do notice, I can very easily explain "it's a bodycam, because occasionally we get a patient who might be a bit aggressive", demonstrate the very obvious red recording light and reassure them that they aren't being spied on.