A 'surveillance system' is:
'Any device that captures information that identifies individuals or information relating to individuals, which can be used to monitor and/or record the activities of individuals'.
For example, closed-circuit television (CCTV), remotely operated equipment such as drones, and image capture doorbells.
Domestic CCTV and the law
The data protection and privacy laws covering the use of surveillance systems include:
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Biometric and Surveillance Camera Commissioner (SCC) ensure laws are complied with.
Read ICO guidance on domestic CCTV systems and government guidance on the use of domestic CCTV.
CCTV and privacy
If you use a domestic CCTV systems to help protect your home you must respect other people’s privacy.
If you set up your system to capture images only within the boundary of your home and garden, CCTV data protection laws will not apply to you.
If your system captures images of people outside the boundary of the property (such as in neighbours’ homes or gardens, shared spaces, or on a public footpath or a street), UK GDPR and DPA18 apply to you; you must comply with ‘data protection’ laws. Read about CCTV surveillance of people outside your home and garden.