With just a few clicks, you can purchase inexpensive body cameras from various online providers, which advertise their use by security personnel in addition to their main target group, “consumers”. At first glance, it seems as if such a “consumer body camera” could be exchanged for a professional version that serves the same purpose – protecting emergency personnel and de-escalating conflict situations. We explain why security personnel should definitely rely on a professional body camera.
What is the legal situation regarding the use of body-cams? Body-Cams may only record situations with image and sound if there is a specific purpose (e.g. a conflict or a dangerous situation). Legally, gathering evidence for criminal prosecution (which is the responsibility of the police) and increasing one’s own sense of security are not included. In addition, before using a body camera, an operational concept (GDPR-compliant body camera use – everything you need to know (netco.de)) must be drawn up, which includes, among other things, when and by whom a body camera may be used. In addition, filming in sensitive locations (e.g. medical supply stores) must be excluded and documentation of the technical and organisational measures (TOM) for handling personal data is required.
What distinguishes a professional body camera? GDPR-compliant Professional body cameras and their associated management software are developed and manufactured in accordance with the applicable data protection regulations. Security personnel undergo tailored training to learn how to use the cameras in a legally and technically compliant manner.
The body cam is preset with data protection-compliant configurations that ensure legally compliant handling and the protection of third-party personal rights. For example, recorded videos cannot be played back on the camera itself, but must first be encrypted and uploaded to a secure server via a camera charging station (SmartHub). Only the persons specified in the deployment concept can view body cam recordings that are to be forwarded to the public prosecutor’s office. Consequently, videos can only be deleted by this group of people. Deleting videos on the camera itself is prohibited, as this would allow a police officer, for example, to delete a video that is embarrassing for them directly on the camera. However, body cams are also intended to provide evidence if an officer has not behaved correctly, so the person recording and the person deleting must not be the same. It is therefore essential to be able to configure user, legal and role distribution settings in the body cam management software.
Individual accessories In addition to SmartHubs, other accessories such as mounts are required for successful body cam use (Suitable accessories for body cams – NetCo Professional Services GmbH). When attaching the cameras to uniforms, mounts must be procured individually. With standard products, there is a risk that the body cam will slip or even fall off, and thus will not be able to record in an emergency. Support Professional body cam providers not only have extensive expertise in cameras, but also develop suitable accessories tailored to the user. They often collaborate with other specialist companies in order to offer mounts with special requirements, for example. As a result, professional suppliers are characterised by their comprehensive and customer-oriented (technical) support. As a German body camera developer, NetCo even offers its customers fast and expert assistance in their native language. ## What are “consumer body cameras” suitable for?
Body cams that can be purchased by consumers either do not comply with data protection regulations at all or only partially. Many cameras offered on the internet do not come with accompanying software; videos can be played and deleted on the device itself. If software is available, the settings options are often limited: user, rights and role distribution settings are missing.
It should also be noted that there is usually no customer service for consumer body cameras, or only in foreign languages, in case problems arise. Consequently, due to the aforementioned weaknesses, a consumer body camera cannot be used to document and de-escalate conflict and dangerous situations.
Our customer service team is often asked whether body-cams can be used to collect evidence in neighbourhood disputes, for example. For private individuals, the following applies: cameras may be worn in public places. However, continuous filming is not permitted. In addition, persons being filmed must give their consent before recording begins. Recording without prior consent can have legal consequences. The use of body-cams for consumers is therefore aimed at documenting sports and other hobby activities in which other people are not filmed.