The AEPD publishes a guide to adapting the use of camcorders to gdpr

This manual includes GDPR forecasts that affect the treatment of camcorders in security environments as for other purposes.

The Spanish Data Protection Agency (Aepd) has published a guide that analyses the use of camcorders for both people safety purposes, goods and facilities, as for different uses such as controlling work activity, recordings of collegiate organ sessions or imaging at school events.

'Data protection: Guide to the use of camcorders for safety and other purposes' collects the forecasts of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) affecting treatments performed using these devices.

In this sense, Regulation, applicable from the past 25 May, incorporates a set of obligations and principles that should be contemplated when dealing with images collected through camcorders. Also, GDPR displaces most of the 1/2006 AEPD on the processing of personal data for surveillance purposes through camera systems or camcorders.

The document is divided into two main blocks. The first details the GDPR principles to be evaluated when dealing with images captured by camcorders for security purposes. These principles included proactive responsibility, where under which a number of actions must be carried out, assess whether the images being captured are proportional to the purpose pursued and take measures such as keeping track of treatment activities or reporting security breaches.

Within this block are listed specific assumptions of image processing for security purposes such as the one they can carry out, among others, Law Forces and Security Corps, financial institutions, Jewelries, private detectives, communities of owners or areas such as critical infrastructure, sports shows or school environments.

In the second block, the Guide addresses the use of camcorders for purposes other than safety. Within this area is the use of cameras for traffic control, recording and taking pictures at school events, as well as the recording of meetings held by the collegiate bodies of public administrations and assemblies, among others.

The document devotes a specific section to the use of so-called emerging technologies, like on-board cameras, distinguishing between those cases in which the recording of images with this technology is made for home use from those in which the purpose is to obtain evidence to determine possible responsibilities to accidents or traffic incidents. This section also addresses the capture and processing of images from cameras incorporated into drones.

At last, the Guide reviews cases where data protection regulations do not apply, such as the processing of images in the exclusively personal and home sphere or the use of simulated cameras.

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