Frequently asked questions about camera surveillance

The operator of recording camera surveillance (e.g. a company or authority) processes personal data with the camera system and is thus a controller. The storage time of any recordings does not have an effect. Even non-recording camera surveillance involves  processing of personal data.

It is impossible to issue universal guidelines for the locations of surveillance cameras or justification of camera surveillance. Each case must be evaluated on its individual merits. From the perspective of legality, the key issues are the purposes and methods of the camera surveillance, whether the subjects are informed of the surveillance and how the recordings (personal data) would be processed.

The processing of personal data always requires a basis for processing defined in the General Data Protection Regulation. The camera surveillance operator is responsible for the legality of its activities.