In 2026, privacy laws around CCTV have become significantly stricter, especially with the full enforcement of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA) in India and similar global standards.
When your brand is Passionate, Professional, and Supportive, your CCTV policy shouldn’t just be a legal shield—it should be a promise of safety and respect.
1. The “Supportive” Signage
Before someone even enters your premises, your signage sets the tone. Instead of a cold “You are under surveillance,” a professional and supportive brand might use:
- The Message: “Your safety is our passion. For your protection and the security of our community, CCTV is in operation.”
- The Visuals: A clear camera icon, the name of your organization, and a QR code that links directly to your full Privacy Policy.
2. Core CCTV Policy Components (2026 Standards)
To remain professional and compliant, your written policy must cover these areas:
| Section | Professional Requirement |
| Purpose | State clearly that cameras are for safety, crime prevention, and property protection—not for monitoring employee productivity or private behavior. |
| Data Collection | Disclose that you collect visual images and time stamps. In 2026, you must explicitly state if you use AI analytics (like facial recognition or motion tracking). |
| Retention | Footage should only be kept as long as necessary. A standard “professional” window is 30 days, unless an incident is under investigation. |
| Access Control | Limit who can view the footage. “Supportive” management ensures that only authorized security personnel have access, protecting everyone’s privacy. |
3. Your Rights (The “Data Principal” Rights)
Under current laws, people captured on your cameras have rights. A supportive brand makes exercising these rights easy:
- Right to Access: Individuals can request to see footage of themselves.
- Right to Erasure: If the footage is no longer needed for security, they can request its deletion.
- Grievance Redressal: Provide a clear email (e.g.,
privacy@yourbrand.com) where people can voice concerns.
4. Hardware Compliance (The 2026 “ER” Rules)
As of April 1, 2026, new regulations in India (MeitY/STQC) mandate that all CCTV cameras must be ER (Essential Requirements) Compliant.
- Professional Check: Ensure your cameras are “Secure by Design”—meaning they have no default “admin/admin” passwords and use encrypted data transmission.
- Passionate Security: Being passionate about your business means protecting it from cyber-attacks, not just physical ones.
Pro-Tip: The “Privacy by Design” Audit
To truly live your Supportive value, do a walkthrough of your cameras:
- Are any pointing into bathrooms or changing areas? (Remove immediately).
- Are they capturing too much of a neighbor’s private property? (Adjust the angle).
- Is the storage server locked in a secure room? (Ensure physical security).
Would you like me to draft a “Supportive CCTV Notice” that you can print and display on your premises?