Is Jo’burg Planning To Regulate Car Dash Cams?

The City of Johannesburg is reportedly considering regulations for car dash cams, a growing trend among South African drivers seeking added security and peace of mind on the road.

Dash cams have surged in popularity across South Africa, yet their legal status remains unclear. Currently, no specific laws govern their use, but this may soon change for Johannesburg residents.

Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku, Johannesburg’s MMC for Public Safety, today discussed the potential for new by-laws on car dash cams during an interview with Newzroom Afrika’s AMReport405.

He emphasised that any regulations would need to align with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), South Africa’s data protection law. POPIA safeguards personal information, sets guidelines for data handling, and ensures accountability for organizations managing such data.

Dr. Tshwaku noted that the proposed by-laws are still in the early stages and could be implemented in the next financial year.

Globally, dash cams are widely legal and serve as valuable tools for recording evidence in accidents or road incidents. However, their use often intersects with privacy concerns.

In the European Union, for example, dash cam usage is governed by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Countries like Germany permit dash cam footage as legal evidence but prohibit continuous recording without cause. Similarly, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC) provides guidelines on transparency, data retention, and sharing footage, while the Netherlands advises against publishing recordings online without consent.

For more insights, watch the full interview with Dr. Tshwaku on Newzroom Afrika.