Video surveillance company premises - what to look out for

Increasing numbers of company owners are turning to video surveillance cameras to better protect their company premises. Before installing and using such a video surveillance system, however, it is advisable to take a look at the rules that apply to the use of video surveillance in Germany.

Company premises: this is what video surveillance is used for

In recent years, the demand for cameras for video surveillance has increased significantly. In this context, video cameras are no longer used only in stores to protect against theft, but are also increasingly used by private individuals and company owners. These promise themselves from the use of a monitoring system above all the protection of their property against burglary or vandalism.

These rules apply to the video surveillance of company premises

Generally, the use of cameras for video surveillance of a company premises is permitted. However, strict rules apply to the use of such cameras so that the personal rights of the persons filmed are not violated.

1. So there must always be a concrete reason for the use of video surveillance, such as protection against theft, burglary or vandalism.
2. Furthermore, only the company's own premises may be recorded with the video camera used. Recordings of neighboring properties, public streets and roads, and public parking lots are not allowed.
3. In addition, the company owner must inform his customers, employees and visitors, for example, by attaching a corresponding sign, that his premises are monitored by video camera.
4. It should also be noted that the cameras may only record images, but no sound. If a surveillance camera has such a sound function, it must be disabled, because the recording of conversations is illegal.