The Office for Personal Data Protection in Czechia released Recommendation No. 1/2025 on January 20, 2025, addressing the use of camera surveillance in schools
It outlines the necessity of balancing privacy with security, the primary functions of cameras, the legal basis for their use, and the importance of privacy safeguards and data retention policies. The Recommendation also specifies that consent is not a valid legal basis for camera use in schools, and emphasizes the need for schools to inform all affected parties about the surveillance measures and their rights.
Czechia’s ÚOOÚ issued guidelines on school camera surveillance, emphasizing privacy, legal use, and informing affected individuals.
On January 20, 2025, the Office for Personal Data Protection (ÚOOÚ) published Recommendation No. 1/2025 on the use of camera systems in schools and school facilities. The ÚOOÚ noted that the Recommendation was developed in response to feedback on the Methodology for the Design and Operation of Camera Systems from the Perspective of Processing and Protection of Personal Data. Given the growing concerns about data processing through surveillance in educational institutions, the Recommendation aims to clarify the lawful use of cameras in schools.
The ÚOOÚ mentioned that the draft of the Recommendation was first made available for public consultation on June 24, 2024. After incorporating the received comments, the final version was approved and released.
What are the key provisions of the Recommendation?
The Recommendation applies to all camera systems in schools, including CCTV cameras and motion-triggered cameras (phototraps). It emphasizes that schools must carefully assess the necessity of installing cameras, as surveillance in educational settings significantly impacts privacy. Specifically, higher education institutions must balance academic freedoms and accessibility while implementing surveillance measures.
The press release and Recommendation are provided at the links below and are available in the Czech language only.
Web – Recommendation No. 1/2025 of the Office for Personal Data Protection on CCTV systems in schools