Seattle’s Surveillance Ordinance requires city departments to inventory technologies, publish use policies, and seek council approval—an approach other U.S. cities are adapting to build public confidence in camera deployments.
Canadian privacy regulators have published practical guidance for public‑sector video that cities are translating into clear retention schedules, masking where feasible, and annual public reporting.
Quarterly dashboards, DPIAs, and public engagement are becoming common features of municipal CCTV programs, helping residents see what is collected, how long it is kept, and whether policies are working as designed.
Cities expanding or modernizing camera programs are adopting transparent rules—purpose limitation, minimal retention, role‑based access, and public reporting—aligned with guidance from UK and Canadian regulators and U.S. implementation handbooks.
Public bodies are codifying short default retention, automated deletion and role‑based access for camera systems, aligning with regulator guidance and reducing risk if systems are compromised.