Introduction to GDPR Principles

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) sets out seven key principles for processing personal data, which are directly applicable to the use of body-worn cameras (BWCs). These principles ensure that data is collected, processed, and managed responsibly and transparently.

Principle 1: Lawfulness, Fairness, and Transparency

This principle has three key aspects:

• Lawfulness: Organisations must have a legal basis for processing data via BWCs. For law enforcement, this is typically the performance of a task in the public interest or the exercise of official authority.
• Fairness: Processing must be done in a way that individuals would reasonably expect and must not cause unjustified harm.
• Transparency: Organisations must inform individuals about how and why data is collected. For BWCs, this often involves verbal announcements and visible indicators on the cameras.

Principle 2: Purpose Limitation

Data collected by BWCs must be processed only for specified, explicit, and legitimate purposes. Organisations must ensure:

• The footage is used only for its original purpose, such as evidence gathering in criminal cases.
• Footage is not repurposed for unrelated activities, such as general surveillance.

Principle 3: Data Minimisation

The data minimisation principle ensures that BWCs capture only the data necessary for their purpose. Key considerations include:

• Avoiding continuous recording without valid justification.
• Restricting recording in private settings unless absolutely necessary.
• Establishing clear policies on when and where BWCs should be activated.

Principle 4: Accuracy

Organisations must ensure that personal data collected is accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date. For BWCs, this involves:

• Ensuring footage is correctly dated and time-stamped.
• Maintaining accurate annotations or metadata related to the footage.

Principle 5: Storage Limitation

Under the storage limitation principle, personal data should not be retained longer than necessary. For BWCs, this means:

• Deleting or anonymising footage according to a predefined retention schedule.
• Ensuring that footage no longer required is securely disposed of.

Principle 6: Integrity and Confidentiality

The integrity and confidentiality principle requires organisations to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, or damage. For BWCs, this involves:

• Implementing secure storage and handling of footage.
• Using encryption and access controls to restrict data access to authorised personnel only.
• Ensuring systems are in place to prevent accidental data breaches.

Principle 7: Accountability

The accountability principle requires organisations to demonstrate compliance with GDPR. This includes:

• Developing and implementing appropriate policies for BWC use.
• Providing training to staff on data protection requirements.
• Conducting regular audits to ensure compliance with these principles.

Conclusion

By adhering to the seven GDPR principles, organisations can ensure that body-worn cameras are used in a lawful, ethical, and transparent manner. These principles help protect individuals' privacy and maintain public trust in the use of this technology.