CCTV Laws in Singapore

What are some CCTV laws in Singapore? Many people in Singapore are now installing CCTV outside their homes and businesses to discourage theft. It is a good idea as no one can have the courage to commit a crime in front of a camera. Unfortunately, very few people understand the CCTV laws in Singapore.

To help you avoid violating laws and paying penalties, here is all you need to know about CCTV laws in Singapore.

What you need to know before installing CCTV in Singapore

Before installing a CCTV to secure your home, office, or business setting in Singapore, you need to know when to take a legal permit for the installation.

You may have good intentions when installing a CCTV, but if you fail to get permission before situating the camera in the same places, you will be breaking the law.

It is to make sure that no one takes advantage of CCTVs to get access to someone’s private life. The law also requires one to apply for a permit before installing a CCTV camera pointing to public property.

In this case, it prevents criminals from installing cameras in public spaces that can help them facilitate their criminal activities.

With a good reason, the authority can’t deny you a permit to install a CCTV camera outside your gate or office.

Places you do not need permission to install CCTV

You do not need any permit to install CCTV inside your property. You can install a CCTV camera inside your HDB house, but you should not install it in the corridor without the necessary permission or permit.

If you are planning to face the camera on another person’s property or a public place, you will be violating the law if you fail to get a permit from the authorities. The same applies to your business or shop.

You are only allowed to install CCTV inside without seeking permission if the camera will be facing inside your office, shop, or store.

If you are installing CCTV inside your business to monitor your employees, you don’t need any permit, but you are required to inform them using visible stickers.

If you install CCTV inside your business setting and fail to let your workers and customers know about it, you will be violating the law.

Places you need permission to install CCTV camera

To monitor outside your home or business place, you must apply for a permit before installing CCTV. If you install CCTV to monitor outside your office or home without permission, you will be violating the laws.

To get a permit to install CCTV in some of these places, you must show the need for monitoring that space. If your house or business is at risk of theft or has experienced theft before, you should apply for a permit to install CCTV outside your office, store, or home.

Places you should never install a CCTV camera

There are some places inside your private property that you should never think of installing a CCTV camera. Whether it is in your home, shop, or business place, you should never install a CCTV camera inside the toilet area and any other private areas, such as changing rooms for the case of a clothing store.

If you install CCTV in any of these areas, you are likely to end up in serious legal issues. You should also never install a CCTV camera pointing to government property.

Is it okay to install CCTV with voice recording?

It is illegal to install a voice recording CCTV without permission. Since it is illegal to record conversations without consent from the involved parties, one must get a permit to install a voice recording CCTV even in a private property.

Precautions to have in mind when installing CCTV

Rules change with time. This document may not be updated. Before trusting it, make sure to check contact a lawyer for confirmation. You can also get help from the person helping you install the system. They know all these rules about CCTV installation.