Perhaps less important than the privacy and security aspects of the front and rear dash cams, users still need to be aware of the following elements:
A dash cam must be properly installed in order to accept digital evidence recorded from a dash cam in court.
The appropriate location for the front dash cam is behind the rear-view mirror, as its central location provides a clear view of the road and lane ahead.
The rear dash cam needs to be attached to the top center section of the rear windshield using adhesive.
Videos must not be tampered with! Deleting or editing footage that may contain incriminating evidence is a serious crime.
Privacy challenges associated with dash cams:
According to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The use of a dash cam, especially if both the front and the rear are used, will record an image of a person, which is considered personal data under the GPPR. According to the data guide, anyone using a dash cam needs to ensure the following points are adhered to:
The personal data recorded by the front dash cam or the rear dash cam is used for a specific purpose, bearing in mind the lawful basis for the collection and processing of the personal data.
Ensure that recorded material is stored securely and only relevant personnel have access to the data in it.
Ensure compliance with data retention policies.
The footage should not be posted on social media platforms as it violates the privacy rights of pedestrians, drivers and others recorded in the footage.
Dash Cam Storage Challenges
The technology behind the front and rear dash cams is at its most advanced in 2021. Most dash cams record Full HD (1080p) video at up to 50 frames per second. Viatech explains how the dash cam now has high dynamic recording (HDR) capability and is paired with infrared LEDs to greatly enhance its capabilities for capturing clear footage even in the dark.
Police cars record a lot of dash cam video in a single day, and their storage poses a huge financial challenge. A regular dash cam is connected to the ignition system and starts recording as soon as the vehicle is started. Regular dash cams use SD cards for storage and record them as three-minute videos. The storage challenge associated with SD card built-in dash cams is that if the dash cam or card is stolen, all data is lost. Another challenge is that the files in such dash cams are not easily accessible. The files need to be removed from the SD card, inserted into the device, and then the footage will be transferred.
The dash cam offers a cloud storage option for immediate use of recorded footage. Regardless of the condition of the dash cam, such as during an accident, the data can be kept securely in the cloud. However, even with cloud storage options, data storage challenges still need to be addressed.
