Surveillance camera images are covered by EU privacy protection rules

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that recordings made by security cameras of people are subject to European rules for the protection of privacy. It specifically concerns cameras that people have attached to their homes and aimed at the public road.

A camera image recorded on a public road falls under personal data, because people can be recognized by physical characteristics. That is why it falls under the rules of the protection of personal data, the Court argues. There are exceptions, however, as stated in the statement. If someone is protecting their property, health or life by pointing the camera at a public road, it is allowed.

The ruling of the Court of Justice of the EU is the result of a case between a Czech man and another family from the same country. The man harassed the family several times, after which they mounted a security camera towards the public road. When the man shot into a window of the family’s house with a slingshot in 2007, the camera filmed it.

However, he was of the opinion that personal data had been handled unlawfully. The appropriate institute in his country ruled in his favor. The suspect was captured without permission while on a public road. The family was fined an undisclosed amount. However, they did not agree to this and an appeal was lodged, but that did not offer a solution. The Court of Justice of the EU has therefore finally heard the case.