It is vital that funding is made available for both local councils and private establishments to keep cameras and systems up to date and in compliance with the legal requirements of Data Protection Law. This applies to commercial businesses as well as to those in the public domain and so it is always good to read in the Press that the cameras and other infrastructure in such systems are being upgraded.

Compliance with Data Protection Law

All operators of commercial CCTV systems need to comply with the Data Protection Act and there are over 70 points of law regarding the management of data and images which are collected by a CCTV system. The chief amongst them are adequate signage so that members of the public know they are in a monitored area and who is doing the watching so that they can complain or find out more if they are so disposed.

For private dwellings, the emphasis is less on highlighting the presence of the cameras and more on where the cameras are pointing to ensure that no-one's privacy is invaded by having their activities filmed when they are in their homes.

However, over 90% of CCTV surveillance systems do not meet all the information protection requirements of the Data Protection Act of 1998.

The Information Commissioner recommends that an assessment should be carried out every year by experts in CCTV Data Protection Law Compliance to make sure that your system complies with the law and any issues should be dealt with promptly.

Guidance on Data Protection Law

Read our Guidelines for CCTV Operators and Data Protection Law if you would like to find out more.

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