Data about people.
WHAT DEVICES MAY REVEAL
Presence and occupancy Routines and habits Location and movement Energy and water use, which indicates behaviour Audio and video, directly
WHY THAT MATTERS
Even simple sensors reveal patterns of life.
WHAT TO COLLECT
The minimum serving the purpose.
WHAT TO PROCESS LOCALLY
Anything that can be, so raw data never leaves.
WHY THAT IS THE STRONGEST CONTROL
Data that never leaves cannot be breached or misused.
WHAT AN EXAMPLE LOOKS LIKE
Detecting occupancy on the device, transmitting only a count.
WHAT TO DISCLOSE
What is collected Why Who can access it How long it is kept
WHAT CONSENT REQUIRES
Being informed, and being able to decline meaningfully.
WHAT MAKES THAT DIFFICULT
People in a space who did not install the device.
WHAT TO CONSIDER
Signage, and design that limits identifiability.
WHAT AUDIO AND VIDEO DEMAND
Far higher care: clear indication when active, local processing where possible, and strict access control.
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Collect more than disclosed Repurpose data without consent Retain indefinitely
WHAT OBLIGATIONS MAY APPLY
Data protection rules, which apply to device data as to any other. Take advice on your position.
