Dashcam footage falls under the category of CCTV if you are using it for work purposes.
If you have a dashcam that you use for work purposes on a vehicle that you use for work, then you are likely to need to register and pay a data protection fee to the ICO unless you are exempt. This is because the use of the dashcam in or on your vehicle for work purposes will not be considered as ‘domestic’ and therefore not exempt from data protection laws.
If you are capturing images of individual’s purely as a personal or household activity, with no connection to a professional or commercial activity, it is outside the UK GDPR’s scope.
If you are using the vehicle for work purposes, you will need to:
Let people know you are using a dashcam, by putting up signs saying that recording is taking place
Ensure you don’t capture more footage than you need to achieve your purpose in using the dashcam
Ensure the security of the footage you capture, by holding it securely and making sure nobody can watch it without good reason
Only keep the footage for as long as you need it, delete it regularly, and when it is no longer needed
Ensure the dashcam is only operated in ways you intend and can’t be misused for other reasons.
Anyone you share your property with, such as family members who could use the equipment, needs to know the importance of not misusing it.
For further advice around your data protection responsibilities of using a dashcam you can contact the Force Data Protection department, or the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
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