Cyprus has amended its road safety legislation to allow the installation and use of in‑car video recording devices for specific purposes, according to a law published April 22 in the Official Gazette. The law will take effect July 23.
Under the changes, private vehicles, professional‑use vehicles, government cars and vehicles belonging to the wider public sector may use such devices for driver protection in the event of an accident, documenting traffic violations or criminal acts, and monitoring commercial fleets in cases of crime or collisions.
Authorities said the use of video devices and any footage they produce must comply with personal‑data protection rules. Violations may result in administrative fines or penalties under data‑protection law.
The legislation also allows police and insurance companies to collect and use recorded material for investigating traffic offenses, accidents or criminal activity. Public sharing of footage that includes identifiable individuals is prohibited without their consent, and in the case of minors, without the consent of parents or guardians.
Recorded material will not automatically be considered admissible evidence in court. Judges will decide whether any footage can be accepted as evidence in a given case.
The law also authorizes the commissioner for personal data protection to issue guidelines on data collection, processing and the permitted use of in‑car recording devices.