3 Key Considerations for LGPD Compliance in AI Surveillance
Brazil's General Data Protection Law (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados or LGPD) imposes strict requirements on organizations that collect and process personal data. For businesses deploying AI-powered surveillance, this has profound implications. The data collected by these systems—facial scans, behavioral patterns, license plates—is considered sensitive personal data, and any misstep in its handling can lead to massive fines and severe reputational damage.
At NordBridge Security Advisors, we specialize in designing surveillance programs that are not only effective but also fully compliant. Here are three key considerations every organization operating in Brazil must address:
**1. Lawful Basis for Processing:** You cannot simply collect biometric data because you have a camera. Under LGPD, you must have a clearly defined lawful basis. For most private security applications, this will be the "protection of life or physical safety" or the "legitimate interests" of the controller. You must document this basis, conduct a formal impact assessment (DPIA), and be prepared to defend it to regulatory authorities.
**2. Data Subject Rights & Transparency:** Your security program must be transparent. This includes clear physical and digital signage informing individuals that they are being monitored and for what purpose. Furthermore, you must have a clear process in place to handle data subject requests, such as the right to access the data collected about them or to request its deletion. Anonymization and pseudonymization of data should be a default technical measure.
**3. Purpose Limitation & Data Minimization:** The data you collect must be for a specific, explicit, and legitimate purpose, and you must collect only the minimum amount of data necessary to achieve that purpose. For example, if your goal is to detect crowd density, you do not need to collect and store facial recognition data. Designing your system to automatically purge data after a short, defined period is a critical best practice that demonstrates compliance and reduces your risk surface.
**Conclusion:** Navigating the complexities of LGPD requires more than just legal advice; it requires a strategic partner who understands both the technology and the law. NordBridge designs and audits AI surveillance systems to ensure they are not only powerful but also fully compliant, protecting your organization from the significant risks of non-compliance.