The Information Commissioner said public bodies not involved in dealing with serious crime or national security, such as the Department for Work and Pensions, should have to apply to a court before access was granted.

BBC: UK Politics

However, Big Brother Watch says some public bodies may be sidestepping that restriction by sub-contracting the work to private security companies.

BBC: Public bodies 'spending millions to snoop'

"Security bodies will make sure nothing illegal runs inside or outside a center, " the Public Security Department added in a statement.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS