Morocco: personal data concerns spark government hearings
Morocco’s National Commission for the Protection of Personal Data (CNDP) will hold hearings in order to establish regulations to protect privacy in the use of video surveillance.
According to government-funded Morocco World News on March 22nd, the CNDP said initiative aims to establish a unified interpretation of Law 09-08, which concerns the protection of personal data.
The commission will include all stakeholders involved in video surveillance, asking them to agree upon clear guidelines and safeguards.
“The use of video surveillance is now a key issue, covering various aspects such as the protection of public and private spaces, the recording of events for research or security purposes, and risk prevention,” said the CNDP in a statement
However, approaches to video surveillance can differ worldwide, depending on the country’s legal framework, security needs and cultural norms.
In recent years, the use of technologies like facial recognition in public spaces has raised controversy globally, with the commission noting that facial recognition usage depends on necessity, acceptability, and risks to personal data protection.
This comes after reports surfaced that Rabat will install 4,000 AI-powered cameras with facial recognition capabilities by the end of 2025. This aims to enhance security in Morocco ahead of major events such as the 2030 World Cup.
Video surveillance is not the only privacy concern currently, in February 2024 Tunisia’s proposal to use biometric IDs was met with some serious concerns over privacy.
Morocco World News, Maghrebi, CNDP
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