Construction sites can be hubs of activity,time lapse video services with workers, machinery, and materials constantly in motion. To enhance security and monitor operations, many construction companies have turned to closed-circuit television (CCTV) surveillance systems. While CCTV can provide valuable oversight, it also raises important data privacy concerns that must be carefully addressed.
The use of CCTV on construction sites has become increasingly common in recent years. According to industry reports, over 70% of large construction firms in the US and UK now utilize some form of video surveillance on their project sites. The primary drivers behind this trend include:
CCTV systems can capture a wealth of data, from footage of workers and equipment to audio recordings and metadata about when and where events occurred. This information can be invaluable, but it also means construction companies must grapple with significant data privacy responsibilities.
Across many jurisdictions, laws and regulations have been enacted to protect individual privacy rights, even in commercial settings like construction sites. For example, the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and similar statutes in places like California and Ontario place strict requirements on how organizations collect, store, and use personal data.
To remain compliant, construction firms must: