Applying the Purpose Specification Principle in the Age of 'Big Data': The Example of Integrated Video Surveillance Platforms in France

Abstract:     
The proliferation of data made available to businesses, governments and individuals, also referred to as the “data tsunami” or the age of “big data”, heavily challenges the application in practice of the purpose specification principle, one cornerstone principle of the data protection framework. In order to illustrate these difficulties, this paper takes as example a growing phenomenon, the deployment of integrated video surveillance platforms that link networks originally installed for distinct purposes and managed by different actors. Focus is put on France where the government passed a law to authorize law enforcement agencies to access private video surveillance networks for purposes of fighting crimes against properties and persons. We conclude by formulating policy recommendations tending to counter the dilution of safeguards when implementing the purpose specification principle in networked systems.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 23

Keywords: video surveillance, privacy, data protection, personal data, big data

working papers series