Video AI Analytics vs. AVG/GDPR: how do you operate under the law?

The number of cameras deployed every day is growing by the day. Not surprisingly so; after all, video images contain a wealth of information. Information that can be used for all kinds of purposes. Think of securing buildings, increasing safety in public areas or optimizing processes. However, the increase in the number of cameras is provoking more and more resistance. Because what about the deployment of cameras/Video Analytics and privacy? And how do we ensure that our customers can work AVG/GDPR-friendly with the Vaidio platform?

Anyway, before we get into that, it’s good to take a look at exactly what this AVG/GDPR legislation is all about. What was that again?

What is AVG/GDPR?

Because of the growing ethical concerns surrounding data privacy, government agencies began regulating the handling of personal data years ago. The EU is leading the way in this since the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018. Also known in the Netherlands as the ‘Algemene Verordening Gegevensbescherming’ (AVG). The GDPR shifts the responsibility for handling and storing personal data ethically to the organizations that collect it. Companies or (government) organizations operating within the EU and processing data of EU citizens must obtain consent from ‘data subjects’. In doing so, they must be transparent about what data they collect and give valid reasons for its necessity. It is of course important to store this data securely and anonymize it so that the data subjects are no longer identifiable.

Regulations regarding the use of cameras

The installation of cameras and the use of those images are subject to strict conditions. In this, difference is being made between camera surveillance in and around homes and camera surveillance in and around businesses (sites) and public areas. In this case, we zoom in on the latter. If you would like to know more about camera surveillance in and around homes, please visit this website.

The most important requirement for camera surveillance, is that the privacy of employees and visitors remains protected. In addition, it is important to know that surveillance cameras are not allowed to make audio recordings. Broadly speaking, companies should think about the following issues when they (will) use camera surveillance:

• Determine the legitimate interestgerechtvaardigd belang
  There must be a legitimate reason for camera surveillance. Preventing theft or protecting employees and visitors are examples.
• Determine the need for camera surveillance
  Are there alternatives to camera surveillance? Then it is mandatory to deploy them first. In addition, camera surveillance must be part of a broader package of measures.
• Consult a privacy test and seek approval from works council
  It is important to balance the interests of the company with those of visitors and employees. Furthermore, it is important that the works council approve camera surveillance.
  
• Conduct a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA).
  In case of large-scale use and/or systematic camera surveillance against, for example, theft or fraud, as an employer you are obliged to conduct a DPIA. Even if you only use the cameras temporarily. Want to know more about this DPIA? More information can be found at this website.

In addition, there are of course different rules per industry, field of work or agency in force when it comes to camera surveillance. A comprehensive overview can be found on the website of the Personal Data Authority. Visit the website via this link.

Video AI Analytics and privacy

Okay, that’s clear. But what about technology that also uses that camera footage? Something the Vaidio-platform also does. Indeed, the platform analyzes real-time or historical footage from connected cameras. In that case, Vaidio must also meet certain requirements to be AVG/GDPR-friendly. And of course it does. In fact, privacy is central to Vaidio. For example, by default it is possible to activate a privacy filter within the platform, which automatically blurs people. Furthermore, Vaidio has an audit trail.

In addition, privacy is about more than just recording – and in this case analyzing images – alone. For what is ultimately done with those images and analyses? There must also be insight into this. This is why Vaidio also offers various solutions in this area for an AVG/GDPR-proof working method:

• Comprehensive User Management
• A logbook functionality
• A LDAP integration
• An option to set what metadata is stored for what length of time.

Ontdek de mogelijkheden van Video AI Analytics en Vaidio

At VAIBS, we help organizations turn information from video footage into actionable data. We do this by making every (existing) IP camera smart using Video Artificial Intelligence. For this we use Vaidio: the Video AI Analytics platform to which tens of thousands of cameras worldwide are connected every day to detect objects, people, abnormalities and patterns. And it does so with unprecedented speed and accuracy.

Want to learn more about Vaidio’s capabilities for your company or organization? Please visit the product page or download the brochure. In addition, of course, it is possible to attend a no-obligation demonstration of Vaidio via the contact page. Our specialists will be happy to let you experience the power of Vaidio in practice.