BENEFIT 428: How can one maintain the view that tasweer is haram in the 21st century, when CCTV cameras are present on nearly every corner?

The questioner asks: Is it appropriate for a student of knowledge to live in a house fitted with surveillance cameras at the entrance that record him every time he enters or exits? Sheikh Yahya hafidahullah: Whoever finds it easy to avoid living in such a place should do so, and he should not be content with being recorded without necessity. Indeed, tasweer of living beings is among the major sins. However, for those who are unable to find alternatives—such as staying in hotels or in many of the developed countries—one finds that the streets are filled with cameras everywhere. Even while walking down the road, cameras record you. If someone is talking on the phone while driving, he is recorded, and a fine may be imposed. If someone does not wear a seatbelt, he is filmed and fined. Even the passenger is recorded and fined for not wearing a seatbelt. The streets in such countries, or many countries, are now full of cameras. How can you escape? Do you seek a tunnel into the earth or a stairway into the sky?! Hotels, streets, and the entire country [is filled with surveillance], all under the pretext of maintaining security. If a person takes a tissue and throws it, he finds himself recorded and fined 500 riyals. Why did he threw the tissue in an improper place, not in the trash bin. In our country (Yemen), we find people throwing cartons of rubbish, but there—what is the reason for such widespread use of cameras; cameras positioned at every entry and exit, and all over the country, and he may not even know he was recorded. He might find himself fined for something as minor as spitting on the street. Whoever lives in such a place and is trialled by residing there, then (the saying of the Prophet ﷺ applies): "whoever detests it has absolved himself; and whoever denounces it has attained safety,, but whoever is pleased with it and follows it has [taken part in the blameworthy matter]." If he lives there out of necessity, he bears no sin. However, as long as a person can find another place where he can avoid such exposure, he should do so and keep away from it. ____ Related benefit ⤵️ https://t.me/womensbenefits/773 Summary regarding CCTV ⤵️ https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/646