Md. Lawmakers Push Bill To Ban Audio Recordings On MTA

BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- Many people may not know what they say on an MTA bus is being recorded, but a bill to ban the practice is moving through Maryland's legislature.

Alex DeMetrick reports, it's the latest argument of privacy versus security.

Starting in 2012, MTA buses started turning the microphones on in its security cameras.

Signs pointed out sound was being recorded, but not that every rider noticed.

DeMetrick: "Are you aware whenever you ride one of these MTA buses, whatever you say can be recorded?"

"No, I wasn't aware," said one bus rider

"That's an invasion of privacy," another rider said.

It's Senator James Brochin's as well.

"I think it's an invasion of privacy and more importantly they have said they're not going to stop there. They want to do it on all Marc trains and Light Rail trains," said the senator.

Brochin is the lead sponsor of a bill that would ban audio recordings an MTA's outreach.

"For advanced technology so they can hone in on your seat and your conversation all in the name of public safety," said Senator Brochin.

WJZ made repeated attempts for an interview with MTA, they declined to go on camera.

"This is the direction the industry is going. Everyone realizes that it's an invaluable tool to try to help law enforcement," said Terry Owens Former MTA, back in 2012.

But after three years of listening in, opponents remain underwhelmed.

"It's helped them in one case out of 255,000," said the senator.

A bill banning audio recordings failed three times before.

Supporters hope it will roll through this year.

In a written statement, MTA says audio recordings are only accessed in the event of an incident and that assaults and thefts are down by more than half since the program began.