Camera surveillance in and around homes

As a private citizen, do you want to put up a camera? Then make sure that the camera is aimed as little as possible at the public road or other people's property (e.g. the neighbor's garden). If it does, the Personal Data Protection Act applies to it and the Personal Data Authority supervises it.

Description

An individual or a housing association sometimes hangs cameras in and around homes to secure property and protect residents. This is not prohibited, but there are conditions attached.

Terms

The conditions for camera surveillance in and around homes are:

  • For a private citizen, a camera should point as little as possible at the public road or at others' property (e.g., the neighbor's yard).

  • More conditions apply to a housing association or VVE, namely:
    • A housing association or VVE (Home Owners' Association) must have a legitimate interest to install cameras. For example, security of property or protection of residents. The invasion of privacy must be as small as possible.
    • Camera surveillance must be necessary. That is, there are no other means to enhance security and protection. Furthermore, camera surveillance must be part of an overall package of multiple measures.
    • The housing association or VVE is also required to let people know that there is camera surveillance. For example, by putting up signs.
    • The interests of residents and visitors must be weighed against one's own.
    • The camera may not film inside the home or, in principle, the street. Only if it is unavoidable may the camera capture buildings, grounds and things belonging to others or the public road.
    • Does public space come into view? Then the camera should not film more than is necessary to secure property and residents.
    • Furthermore, camera footage should not be kept longer than 4 weeks. But if an incident is recorded, such as theft, the camera footage will be kept until everything is dealt with.
    • For a VVE, another requirement is that a majority of the members agree to install cameras.

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