French municipalities employing “tourist” cameras to capture scenic spots and lure travelers are running afoul of European privacy regulations, the National Commission on Informatics and Liberty (CNIL) has warned.
The CNIL reports that numerous municipalities are setting up surveillance cameras in public areas to enhance their tourist appeal. The resulting images are frequently recorded and streamed live on city websites, available for global viewing and accessible to various security agencies.
Yet French law allows video surveillance of public roads and spaces only under stringent conditions, strictly for purposes like ensuring public safety or safeguarding property. This limitation is especially critical for live feeds. The commission argues that “legitimate interest” does not justify gathering and broadcasting personal data online. Inspections have further uncovered cases where these cameras intruded on private life, filming people entering bars, taking part in protests, or capturing views into the windows and onto the grounds of private residences.
The regulator underscores that neither residents nor tourists consent to this recording and live broadcasting, and the captured material could be used for purposes unrelated to tourism promotion. Equally important is that the systems in use, contrary to legal requirements, fail to provide individuals with the option to opt out of being filmed before recording starts.