Driver facing camera, was he just messing with me?

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by Lennythedriver, Jul 6, 2020.

  1. Lennythedriver

    Lennythedriver Road Train Member

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    So I just had my truck in the shop for a service this morning...I pulled the truck in, and went over to the employee lounge to let them work on it. About a half hour later I walk back over to my truck and get inside and noticed the key is turned to the on position...Mechanic is just about finished up. I asked him “do you need the key on or can I turn it off“. And he says to me “oh Per company policy we have to leave it on because it keeps the camera system on and that way if any driver say something is missing or we messed with their stuff it was on camera“.

    Ok, so I’m thinking to myself I was told the camera for the driver facing part only goes off when there’s some kind of incident. So I approach him and I asked him and I said, “I thought those only recorded events? So how would it do any good if anything was missing?“ It wouldn’t work for that purpose, correct? He gets this smirk on his face, it was like a half smile and half sarcastic look. LOL and he said “oh that’s what they tell you drivers but there’s about six or seven of them over there in that office, they can watch, go back and see, look live, anything they want through that camera”.

    He went on to say, “It’s a camera, they're humans, what do you think they do?, They can watch you guys any ole time they want to and trust me, they do!”

    now this mechanic is a character. He’s been known to pull off pranks and things of that nature. And the fact he had this big smirk smeared across his face, let me to believe he might’ve been joking. But I want to be sure. Per my understanding I agreed to events being viewed and recorded for safety purposes only. I don’t want some fat slob sitting up at the office getting his jollies watching me scratch my ### at 2 AM in the morning.

    So what is it, once and for all? Are we being watched through these things or not?
     
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  3. Judge

    Judge Road Train Member

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    If they have cameras in the truck, they can access them anytime they want, just like your elog thats tied into their system.
     
  4. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Yes. Better put on ur tin foil hat
     
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  5. Lennythedriver

    Lennythedriver Road Train Member

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    I mean I’ve read dozens and dozens of threads on the subject and there never seems to be a clear and definitive answer. But then we hear about incidences that would give credence to the fact that they can watch us through those things anytime they want.
     
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  6. Wespipes

    Wespipes Road Train Member

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    I've drove for a few companies that had sriver facing cameras. They tell you its only active when there's events. But ive seen them pull up the feed many times.
     
  7. D.Tibbitt

    D.Tibbitt Road Train Member

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    Most of them record 24/7 but it just overwrites footage. Only stuff is saved if there is an event. No idea if they could actually tap into and watch live. I wouldnt be surprised tho.
     
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  8. Wasted Thyme

    Wasted Thyme Road Train Member

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    My suspicion is they constantly record/backup the data. But are only "allowed" to access it with merritt. Such as above said "theft" comment. But likely some twerps look just cuz.
     
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  9. Wespipes

    Wespipes Road Train Member

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    I actaully left my last company and became an o/o because they put samsara driver facing cameras in the truck. They had "ai" and would notify the company if you were on your phone, took your seat belt off, OR if it thought you looked sleepy and would write you up. Just too much invasion for me
     
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  10. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    I guarantee they can find every second that is recorded on that camera one way or another. Anything digitally recorded is recorded forever.
     
  11. REO6205

    REO6205 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    The company that sold and installed our dash cams offered driver facing cams as well. The tech told us that the driver facing cams could be programmed any way we wanted as far as watching the drivers. That meant real time, event, at will, or any combination.
    We didn't get the driver facing cams but it was interesting to find out just how little privacy some companies really give the driver.

    So, yeah. They can watch you if and when they want to.
     
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