Morocco moves to regulate video surveillance and safeguard user privacy

With the rise of video surveillance in Morocco, the National Commission for the Control of Personal Data Protection (CNDP) has launched a nationwide consultation to regulate its use. As security concerns and technological advancements push for increased surveillance, this initiative seeks to establish clear legal guidelines that protect privacy rights while allowing for the responsible use of surveillance technology.

The move comes as global discussions on facial recognition, data protection, and surveillance ethics intensify. While surveillance cameras help secure public and private spaces, they also raise questions about balancing security and personal privacy.

How Morocco plans to regulate video surveillance

The regulation of surveillance technology in Morocco is currently governed by Law 09-08, which lays the groundwork for personal data protection. However, the rapid expansion of surveillance, particularly with AI-driven facial recognition and real-time monitoring, requires further clarification on how the law should be applied in practice.

To address this challenge, the CNDP is holding consultative meetings with key stakeholders, including legal experts, tech professionals, business owners, and civil society representatives. These discussions aim to ensure surveillance technology complies with legal and ethical standards while preventing misuse.

A key focus is defining clear regulations for deploying cameras in public and private spaces, ensuring transparency and preventing overreach. Concerns about facial recognition and mass surveillance are also being addressed as advancements in AI raise ethical and privacy issues.

Additionally, the CNDP seeks to establish accountability in how surveillance data is collected, stored, and used, reinforcing Morocco’s commitment to data protection and privacy rights.

Beyond the technical and legal aspects, the CNDP’s initiative reinforces Morocco’s constitutional right to privacy. Article 24 of the Moroccan Constitution explicitly states that “everyone has the right to the protection of their private life,” making this regulatory effort a critical step toward safeguarding citizens’ rights.

What this means for businesses and individuals

For businesses and public institutions that rely on CCTV and other surveillance systems, these new regulations will provide a clear legal framework to follow, ensuring compliance with data protection laws. Companies that process personal data through surveillance will likely be required to obtain approvals, enhance transparency, and implement stronger security measures.

For citizens, this initiative means greater protection of personal data and more transparency regarding how surveillance technologies impact daily life. With concerns growing about the potential misuse of surveillance footage and unauthorised tracking, the CNDP’s proactive approach ensures that security measures do not come at the expense of individual rights and freedoms.

As Morocco moves forward with this initiative, it joins a global conversation on how to balance security and privacy in the digital age. The outcome of the CNDP’s consultations will not only shape the future of surveillance regulation in Morocco but could also set a precedent for other nations navigating similar challenges.

By updating regulations and ensuring proper oversight, Morocco is taking an important step toward creating a safer yet privacy-conscious society—one where technology is used responsibly and ethically for the benefit of all.