The ICO receives many complaints from neighbours and other members of the public who are concerned that CCTV systems are being used to spy on them.īelow is a list of general considerations to help you reduce the risk of your CCTV system intruding on the privacy of others. A domestic CCTV system needs to be operated in a responsible way that respects the privacy of others. You may be considering using a CCTV system as a necessary means to protect your property from acts of crime and anti-social behaviour. Operating your domestic CCTV system responsibly
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However, the SCC also encourages other organisations operating CCTV systems, and those operating domestic CCTV systems, to adopt the SC Code on a voluntary basis. Under the provisions of PoFA, relevant authorities must pay due regard to the SC Code. The SC Code applies to the overt use of surveillance camera systems that are operated by relevant authorities only (police forces, local authorities and parish councils) in public places in England and Wales, regardless of whether or not there is any live viewing or recording of images or information or associated data. The SCC’s statutory functions are to encourage compliance with the Home Secretary’s Surveillance Camera Code of Practice (the SC Code) and its 12 guiding principles, which if followed will ensure that surveillance camera systems are only operated proportionately, transparently and effectively.
The SCC does not regulate domestic CCTV systems. The SCC was appointed by the Home Secretary and is independent of government. The role of Surveillance Camera Commissioner (SCC) was created under the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 (PoFA). If you are unhappy about the use of a domestic CCTV system, use the ICO’s online tool to determine the best course of action in your situation. If you have any questions about the use of domestic CCTV, you can contact the ICO or call 03. The ICO has also published guidance for people being filmed by domestic CCTV. It is important that you read this guidance as well as the checklist, as this is a fuller explanation of your obligations to data protection law. The ICO has published guidance on the use of domestic CCTV and a CCTV checklist, which will help you to better understand and meet your obligations under data protection law. If you do not comply with your data protection obligations you may be subject to appropriate regulatory action by the ICO, as well as potential legal action by affected individuals. You will need to ensure your use of CCTV complies with these laws. If your CCTV system captures images of people outside the boundary of your private domestic property – for example, from neighbours’ homes or gardens, shared spaces, or from public areas – then the GDPR and the DPA will apply to you. The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) regulates and enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA). A CCTV system includes the camera, storage, recording and all associated equipment. This advice will help you to understand what you need to do if you are considering installing, or have already installed, a CCTV system (or similar technology, such as video-equipped doorbell devices) on your home.