A code of practice on the use of surveillance cameras by bodies such as local authorities and police forces has come into effect in England and Wales.
The Home Office introduced the code after concerns over the potential for the abuse or misuse of surveillance by the state in public places.
The code says the cameras must be used "in pursuit of a legitimate aim" and when it "meets a pressing need".
Campaign group Big Brother Watch said the code did not go far enough.
The code of practice also restricts access to and retention of data, and encourages private operators to apply the code as well as public bodies.
The code says: "Where used appropriately, these systems are valuable tools which contribute to public safety and security and in protecting both people and property.
"The purpose of the code will be to ensure that individuals and wider communities have confidence that surveillance cameras are deployed to protect and support them, rather than spy on them."
End Quote Nick Pickles Director, Big Brother WatchUltimately the regulator needs real powers to enforce the rules and the code should apply to every CCTV camera, irrespective of who is operating it"
The code of practice has been introduced under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, which also established the post of surveillance camera commissioner.
The role of the commissioner, Andrew Rennison, is to encourage compliance, review how the code is working and recommend any changes.
The code applies to CCTV and automatic number plate recognition systems.
In 2010, West Midlands Police apologised after 200 so-called spy cameras were set up in largely Muslim areas of Birmingham.
The cameras, some of them hidden, were paid for with £3m of government funding intended for tackling terrorism.
Residents were angry about a lack of consultation and an independent report was highly critical. The police said none of the cameras had been switched on.
That scandal prompted the government to launch a consultation on the introduction of the code of practice and the commissioner.
'Surveillance state'Nick Pickles, director of Big Brother Watch, said the the code was a step in the right direction but more needed to happen.
He said: "With only a small fraction of cameras covered and without any penalties for breaking the code there is much more that could be done to protect people's privacy from unjustified or excessive surveillance.
"Ultimately the regulator needs real powers to enforce the rules and the code should apply to every CCTV camera, irrespective of who is operating it.
Mr Pickles added: "We have already seen cases of cameras in school toilets, neighbours involving the police because of cameras on private property and concerns about new marketing technology tracking number plates, yet the code would not apply in any of these situations.
"As CCTV technology improves and issues like facial recognition analysis come to the fore it is essential that people are able to access meaningful redress where their privacy is infringed.
"The surveillance camera commissioner must be given the powers and the resources to take action, otherwise the public will rightly ask if the surveillance state continues to escape accountability."
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