Fact check: Why are tablet computers in SC welcome center bathrooms and do they have cameras?

In case you’re wondering about the tablets in the restrooms at the Landrum Welcome Center on Interstate 26, they’re not recording your bathroom proclivities.

Samantha Queen, spokesperson for South Carolina Parks, Recreation and Tourism, which runs the nine welcome centers in the state, said the cameras were disabled before the tablets were installed.

“The tablets allow visitors to report problems in the restrooms with a few quick taps,” she said.

Problems reported include lack of paper products and cleanliness.

“These devices allow us to respond to customer needs and concerns quickly, particularly if the visitor only stops in our restroom and doesn’t enter the main Welcome Center to speak to staff,” she said.

Take note: PRT is looking for other locations to install similar tablets.

PRT operates eight welcome centers close to the state lines and another near the center of the state in Orangeburg County along I-95 southbound. These centers have restrooms, vending machines, picnic areas, free Wi-Fi, coupons for hotels and attractions, travel guides, brochures and travel counselors to assist with trip planning.

“The Welcome Centers are equipped with a variety of technology for guests to access additional information,” PRT says on its website. “Some centers include stand-alone kiosks with Google Maps and they are linked to a printer for printed directions, while wall-mounted kiosks allow for self-exploration.”

This story was originally published June 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Fact check: Why are tablet computers in SC welcome center bathrooms and do they have cameras?."