A security technician has lost his licence after accessing and sharing CCTV footage of a serious workplace accident which later went viral on social media.
Matthew Armitage, who had held a Certificate of Approval (COA) as a security technican since October 2023, admitted to accessing footage from a client’s security system without permission on his final day of employment.
He then distributed the video to two friends, one of whom shared it widely online.
The footage captured a serious health and safety incident at a site where he had been installing cameras.
The viral clip caused reputational damage to his former employer, their client, and the contractor who was injured in the incident.
In a decision released by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA), Armitage was found guilty of misconduct under the Private Security Personnel and Private Investigators Act 2010. His COA was cancelled effective immediately.
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The Authority described Armitage’s actions as a “serious privacy breach” and noted that the incident required a notification to the Privacy Commissioner.
“Sharing footage from the security cameras of a customer was also a breach of the confidentiality clauses in Mr Armitage’s employment agreement, best industry practice and good faith.”
Armitage acknowledged the breach and apologised, saying his intention was not malicious.
He said he and his friends were concerned about a mutual friend who worked at the site and that they wanted to ensure they had not been involved in the health and safety incident.
“Unfortunately, by the time Mr Armitage tried to delete the footage it had been posted on wider social media sites,” the decision read.
The Authority agreed not to impose a minimum stand-down period, but ruled that Armitage must submit fresh evidence of his qualifications and character if he seeks to re-enter the industry.
