Is IR Video Surveillance Legal In Movie Theaters?

From my perspective, a movie theatre, despite being dark, is a very public place. Depending upon the movie, there are anywhere from a dozen to a couple of hundred people there. IMHO, there is no expectation of privacy, percieved or otherwise. Given what has been happening at theatres of late and our very real expectation of safety, I don't think I am unreasonable. Just because the lights are dimmed to allow a better visual experience, does not entitle a person to any "extra" privileges. If one wants to pick something or adjust something, do what you might do in any other public venue; excuse yourself and head off to the lavatory.

All is interesting speculation however, I suspect that what 'undisclosed 1' saw in the corner of the theater with the 'red glow' was not an IR for video camera but the IR from a 'Hearing Assistance' transmitter which is required in many states for public auditoriums to meet ADA requirements.

Working in a state-run university, I've been told to post signs on building doors where cameras are installed stating video monitoring in this area.

I have seen IR cameras and TV monitors backstage in a local stage theater so the lighting guys can see when the stage hands are off stage before bringing up the lights. I don't recall seeing any signs about cameras on property.

The Theater also had large IR emmitters for their assistive listening devices that covered the audiance seats.

The only requirement we have in Canada is that as long as there is a sign at the entrance of the Building stating this area is under video surveillance, they don't need to say where, we see it mostly to fight the copying of new release by any camera, the IR Illuminator is usually not required as the covert camera will normally see the small IR light indicating a camera is recording. Perhaps the IR Illuminator will help ID the offender, in that case a Warning would be warranted as IR Illuminators can damaged the Cornea and Retina and may put the Theatre in a liability position as most people look up at the screen during the movie and expose their eyes directly to the IR light from the illuminator. This was be easily achieve by using and inexpensive B&W Camera that would immidiately see if a person would try to record with a camera, the theatre personel would enter the screening room and escort the individual out of the theatre and security would issue a Ban from the establishment and request the video footage or contact the Police for further action. It was a regular problem about 10 years ago, but the problem appears to have subsided as several had been charged by the Police and Legal Action was taken by the Motion Picture Association to protect their copyrighted movies. Haven't seen any IR Illuminators installed inside the screening rooms in the lower mainland of BC

It’s possible that those large IR illuminators were part of an IR-based listening assist system, which distributes program audio to hearing-impaired theater patrons. Those patrons would be equipped with an IR headset, which converts & delivers audio to the wearer.

I have personally installed IR Illuminators and megapixel cameras above the screens in a local movie theater chain. This was also after the Colorado theater incident and they were a little on edge. They also wanted to be able to detect cell phone users. The other main use was that this theater served alcohal and they wanted to make sure their servers were checking ID's and only serving people of legal age, as well as keeping an eye on the patrons and making sure no one is disrupting the theater experience.