The Crime Prevention Website

For those of you who have a domestic CCTV system installed around your home it is important that you take a look at the most recent guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

In essence a domestic CCTV system will be exempt from the Data Protection Act (DPA) unless your camera covers, even partially, any areas beyond the boundaries of your property, such as neighbouring gardens or the street. If your cameras are capturing images beyond the boundaries it does not mean that you are ‘breaching the DPA’, but it does mean that you are subject to it. 

If you do not want to be subject to the DPA then the simplest solution will be to alter the cameras angle of view so that it cannot capture images beyond your boundary. You might also want to consider altering or improving your boundary security arrangements or improving the security of the house and outbuildings.

If you cannot rely on the ‘domestic purposes exemption’ you are subject to a number of requirements in the Data Protection Act. This includes a requirement to notify the ICO that you are a data controller. However, the ICO recognises that individuals need time to adjust to these developments in the law. They do not propose to take action during the coming year against an individual for failing to register their use of domestic CCTV cameras following this judgement, except in exceptional cases. If the position changes they will update their guidance

The full ICO guidance can be found at https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/cctv/

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