The House of Representatives has approved legislation establishing, for the first time, a legal framework for the use of dash cameras, allowing recording devices in private, professional and public vehicles.
The “Road Safety (Amendment) (No. 4) Law of 2025” was passed on Thursday, aiming to regulate a practice already widely used on Cypriot roads.
What the new law allows
The law permits the installation and use of image-recording devices, such as dashcams, mainly for:
- Protecting drivers in case of accidents
- Recording traffic violations
- Documenting criminal acts
- Assisting police investigations
The initiative was proposed by MP Stavros Papadouris and approved with 19 votes in favour, 16 against, and one abstention.
Strict data protection rules
The use of dash cameras in Cyprus will be strictly regulated under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Authorities will issue guidelines on how data can be collected and processed to prevent misuse and protect personal privacy. Importantly, the law prohibits the public sharing of video footage that includes third parties without consent.
Recordings will be used primarily for police investigations, accident cases, and specific operational needs such as fleet monitoring.
Key changes in final text
Lawmakers removed provisions allowing audio recording and unrestricted publication of footage from the final version of the law.
The legislation will come into force three months after its official publication.
Political debate over privacy concerns
The approval followed strong debate in Parliament.
MP Stavros Papadouris said the law fills a regulatory gap, noting that many vehicles already use cameras without clear legal oversight. However, opposition parties raised concerns about privacy and potential abuse.
AKEL MP Valentinos Fakontis warned that the law could undermine citizens’ privacy and create risks of surveillance. His colleague Andreas Pasiourtides questioned the consistency of regulations, pointing out stricter rules in other legislation governing police body cameras.
Support with reservations
From the ruling party, MP Demetris Demetriou said the technology is already embedded in modern vehicles and can help resolve disputes, particularly in insurance cases.
DIKO leader Nicolas Papadopoulos supported the measure, noting that similar practices are widely applied across Europe and contribute to crime prevention and public safety.
Ongoing concerns over implementation
Despite the safeguards, concerns remain about how recordings will be stored and for how long, with critics warning that continuous recording could expand beyond intended limits.
The debate highlights the balance lawmakers seek between road safety benefits and the protection of personal data under the new dash cameras framework.
Source: CNA
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