However, it is wise to be cautious with camera technology, says Erik Baeten, security advisor at Axis Communications. Misuse brings a lot of risks, such as privacy violations or data theft, to the annoyance of yourself or your neighbors. This has everything to do with the choice of your camera, the method of installation, and respecting the rights of others. Prevent your camera from doing more harm than good and follow Erik's four golden rules:
Aim the camera at your own property
Camera surveillance requires strict compliance with the GDPR. It states that you may protect your own property but must not harm others in their normal activities. In other words: aim your camera primarily at your own property to prevent privacy violations. There are exceptions: if it is unavoidable that a camera films part of the public road, that is allowed. For example, with a house where the front door is directly on the sidewalk, but also if the camera is aimed at a parking lot where you always park your own car, provided that car is always parked in that spot. Finally, (under certain conditions) the public road may also be captured in the context of police investigations. But the focus must always be on your own belongings.
Inform and provide access
Even if you have aimed your camera at your own property, you may unintentionally capture people in a recognizable way. Therefore, it is courteous – and mandatory – to inform passersby about this. You can make this visible by putting up a sticker or a sign indicating that camera surveillance is in place. Just like with a medical file, everyone has the right to access if they are recognizable in the footage. In some cases, a camera can create friction with neighbors who do not appreciate surveillance. It helps to be transparent and show what the camera films to prevent conflicts. Additionally, informing about camera surveillance has a deterrent effect on intruders.
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Also protect your digital security
Smart cameras are a gateway to your home network and can often be accessed from outside, for example via your smartphone. You probably connect the laptop you use for online banking to that same network. Therefore, you must also secure the camera to ensure that it does not provide access to your network and all other devices connected to the same network. With the growing popularity of video doorbells and security cameras, more and more variants are appearing on the market, some of which have security that leaves much to be desired. This increases the risk that hackers can gain access to your network through your camera. Therefore, always choose a supplier that has good cybersecurity measures in place and ensure you have strong passwords.
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Share footage only with the police
According to the GDPR, you may never publicly share footage that shows people in a recognizable way. You harm them in their actions and behaviors. It sometimes happens that a neighbor has seen an unknown person at the door and then shares the footage in the neighborhood app. Without the consent of the filmed person, this is against the law and can lead to privacy violations. Sharing such footage can also increase the risk that people will take the law into their own hands, leading to undesirable situations. If you have recorded a criminal act or there is a threatening situation, then share the footage with the police so they can investigate.
Camera technology provides proven protection for people and their property, but installing a camera must be a well-considered choice, combined with responsible use. The legislation provides good frameworks but is not black and white. Therefore, a lot of responsibility lies with the user: carefully justify every step and constantly ask yourself whether a camera is really necessary everywhere. This way, the deployment remains safe, efficient, and meets all necessary requirements.
The police emphasize that camera footage of suspicious situations or criminal acts can be valuable for investigative purposes. Therefore, share this footage exclusively directly with the police, for example via the police website or when filing a report. This way, you contribute to a safe neighborhood, with respect for the privacy of others.
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