INTRODUCTION

 

This Wildlife Camera Policy sets out how Ballyhaunis Tidy Town will operate and process data (still photos or videos) from wildlife cameras, in accordance with applicable Data Protection and Privacy Laws. 

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This policy document seeks compliance with Irish Law (Data Protection Acts, 1988, 2003 and 2018) and European Law (Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council (GDPR). This policy details how Ballyhaunis Tidy Town will collect, use and store captured images. Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns will only record images, not audio.

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PURPOSE

Ballyhaunis Tidy Town has sought permission to install and use wildlife cameras within the Friary park. The data collected from the system will assist in Wildlife monitoring and Public engagement.

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SCOPE

Wildlife cameras will be installed in areas of suspected nocturnal wildlife activity such as the Dalgan river corridor (sited above water level and pointing down), nest boxes (sited at nest height level) or other wildlife habitats (sited away from habitual human activity). Wildlife cameras will be covert and focused and pointing away from footpaths and pathways to avoid human triggering. Any recognisable images (‘personal data’) will be subject to the provisions of the Data Protection Acts 1988, 2003 and 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (“GDPR”).

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SIGNAGE

Appropriate signs will be displayed at each location so that members of the public are aware that wildlife cameras are present in the area. Signage will include the name and contact details of Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns (ballyhaunistidytowns@gmail.com) as well as the specific purpose(s) for which the wildlife camera is in place in each location.

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RECORDING AND RETENTION OF IMAGES

Cameras will only be activated once motion within the camera detection zone has been detected. To minimise the impact on the general public and reduce the number of images taken, the cameras will normally only be activated between dusk and dawn.

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Images are all digital recorded on sim cards within the cameras. Normally cards will be removed and the data downloaded once every one to two weeks. Data then should be downloaded from the sim cards within 2 days, with the sim card data then being deleted.  

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Images are to be reviewed within 2 weeks of download. Images of interest will only be retained when any of the following conditions are met:

• Content contains no recognisable member of the public.

• Content contains a recognisable member of the public who is aware and agrees to the retention of the image.

• Content may be used to potentially identify criminal or anti-social behaviour.

 

Retained images will be stored electronically on Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns shared drive and a back-up device, only accessible by specific members.

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Retained images containing members of the public may only be circulated to specific Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns members, members of the public within the image (only if all members within the image agree) or relevant authorities where criminal or anti-social activity has taken place.

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MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC ACCESS RIGHTS

Under Ireland’s data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), individuals have the right on request to receive a copy of the personal data that Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns may hold about them, including images if they are recognisable. 

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If you wish to access any potential images relating to you, you must make a written request to Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns. This can be done by using this email address ballyhaunistidytowns@gmail.com. Your request must include the date and approximate time when you believe the images were recorded, a photo of yourself and the location of the camera, so that the images, if they still exist, can be easily located and your identity can be established as the person in the images. 

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Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns will usually respond promptly and in any case within one month of receiving a request, unless the requests are complex and/or numerous, whereas a further extension of one month may be requested.

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Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns will determine whether disclosure of your images will reveal third party information, as you have no right to access images relating to other people. In this case, the images of third parties may need to be obscured if it would otherwise involve an unfair intrusion into their privacy.

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If Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns is unable to comply with your request because access could prejudice the prevention or detection of crime or the apprehension or prosecution of offenders, you will be advised accordingly.

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Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns will not make a charge for such a request, but will refuse requests which are manifestly unfounded, excessive, or repetitive.

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IMPLEMENTATION

All Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns Data Controllers are responsible for the implementation of and compliance with this policy and the operation of the camera system. A regular review of Ballyhaunis Tidy Town’s use and processing of camera images will be conducted to ensure that it remains compliant with the laws regulating data protection and privacy. Any complaints or enquiries about the operation of Ballyhaunis Tidy Town’s camera system should be addressed for the attn. of “The Data Controller” at ballyhaunistidytowns@gmail.com.

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DATA PROTECTION

Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns will process the personal data collected in connection with the operation of the Wildlife Camera policy in accordance with legal data protection laws. Inappropriate access or disclosure of this data will constitute a data breach and should be reported immediately to the Data Controller (marked for the attn. of “The Data Controller” at ballyhaunistidytowns@gmail.com).

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REVIEW

This policy should be reviewed annually to ensure it is relevant and proportionate at all times and compliant with current legislation.

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Date posted: 26-03-2025