Technological progress in the last few decades have made monitoring, tracking and profiling techniques easier, cheaper and more accurate. As a result, surveillance has increased in both the public sector (for law enforcement purposes and public security for example) and in the private sector (for targeted advertising for example). These practices can profoundly affect how individuals think and act, as well as other personal rights (such as freedom of expression or association). Any form of surveillance is an intrusion on the fundamental rights to the protection of personal data and to the right to privacy. It must be provided for by law and be necessary and proportionate.
Letter of 25 October 2011 on notification for Prior-checking on the video-surveillance system at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) (Case 2011-12)
Opinion on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85 on recording equipment in road transport and amending Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of the European Parliament and the Council, OJ C 37/02 , 10.02.2012, p.6
Opinion of 3 September 2010 on a notification for Prior Checking on the European Surveillance System ("TESSy") of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ("ECDC") (Case 2009-0474)
EDPS Video-surveillance Guidelines