NEARLY three-quarters of Scots are opposed to CCTV cameras that record their conversations, according to research published today by the Freedom of Information watchdog.

A study by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) also revealed that Scottish people are more aware of their data protection rights in relation to CCTV than those in London and the south-east of England.

The research is being published to coincide with the launch of the ICO's CCTV code of practice, which describes the recording of conversations as "highly intrusive" and warns that it can only be justified in exceptional circumstances.

Ken Macdonald, Assistant Commissioner for Scotland at the ICO, said: "Technological advances mean that cameras can record individuals' conversations, but we see this as an unacceptable invasion of privacy."