Paper considers the issue of the balance between the technical capabilities of civil video surveillance systems and the right of citizens to privacy, the capabilities of these systems to violate the basic rights of citizens. It is stated the insufficient, against expectations, effectiveness of solving the problems of fighting crime, for which these systems are designed, with simultaneous permanent violation of civil rights. An example of the rules for the introduction of civil video surveillance systems is provided, which are intended to help support of the aforementioned balance, offered for use in the United States.