Authorities crack down on unauthorized surveillance cameras on public property

Regional authorities in several Moroccan regions, including Casablanca-Settat, Rabat-Salé-Kénitra, Marrakech-Safi, and Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, have moved to inspect and remove unauthorized surveillance cameras installed on public property, local sources told Hespress AR.

The crackdown comes after a proliferation of privately installed cameras on streetlights, municipal buildings, and other public or communal spaces without proper authorization. Reports submitted to the regional administrations detailed widespread violations and included inspections carried out by local officials within administrative jurisdictions.

Sources said some cameras were installed by local councils, private building managers, and neighborhood associations without obtaining clearance from the National Commission for the Protection of Personal Data (CNDP) or including the projects in official municipal agendas.

Regional governors instructed municipal authorities to mobilize administrative police forces to remove the illegal devices, which often involved significant public spending from municipal budgets. Some reports also indicated that private security personnel had exploited public property to install cameras for private monitoring purposes.

Authorities emphasized that these interventions aim to ensure compliance with Morocco’s legal and regulatory framework governing the use of public property and the collection of personal data. Officials reminded municipalities of the penalties outlined under Law 08-09 on the protection of personal data, particularly regarding unlawful data collection, processing without authorization, and violations of individuals’ rights to access, correct, or object to the use of their data.

Governors directed municipal councils to notify the CNDP about any data processing activities, seek the necessary permits, and regularize the status of unauthorized cameras. Officials stressed that local authorities must coordinate with the CNDP to ensure compliance with the law and proper safeguards for individuals’ personal data.