By attending this event you agree to be photographed

In this age of rapid digitalization, the topic of consent and privacy is no longer just about one’s name or email address. Rather, it also extends to people’s identities getting filmed or photographed in meetings and events.

Under the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 of Singapore, an image of an identifiable individual captured in a photograph or video recording is considered personal data about that individual. Hence, if you’re no stranger to events, then you’re no stranger to seeing this disclaimer, either: “By attending this event you agree to be photographed”.

Additionally, if you are privacy-conscious and have always wondered how much privacy is allowed to guests at your event, then keep on reading as we explore this topic.

Also Read: 4 Easy Steps To Create Privacy Management Plan For Business

Exceptions to the Rule

Under the PDPA, there are circumstances wherein you don’t need the consent of individuals even if they’ve been captured in your photographs.

These exceptions are listed and can be accessed on the PDPA website.

When do you need consent?

Every time you take photos or video recordings of people at your event and intend to publish or use those photographs, either electronically or in print, you must get consent from the people in those photographs or video recordings.

You will also need consent if you intend to use existing photographs of individuals as part of your event.

Serve a notice: By attending this event, you agree to be photographed 

Imagine taking photographs of a sea of people attending a conference. Clearly, it’s impossible to go around getting consent from every person in the photograph. In this case, you need to post a notice of filming and photography at the event. Here, you let people know that photographs or video recordings may be taken and that you give them the option of not being captured.

If the people concerned are not recognizable in the photograph, say, when the focus is on the main speaker, and the crowd’s faces are lost in the blur, then you do not need to get their consent.

What exactly is a Notice of Filming and Photography?

A notice of photography or crowd notice photo release is a statement that informs guests attending an event that photography and filming may take place. This Notice can be displayed at a strategic location during an event or on tickets, or the message can be conveyed to guests prior to the event.

What else is written in the Notice besides “By attending this event you agree to be photographed”?

The Notice can be as simple as a one-liner, or it may include other pertinent information, such as:

• The scope of where the photographs or recordings may be used 
• The attendees agree to waive their rights to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with the possible use of their photographs
• The attendees agree that they’ve been fully informed 

Get trained about data privacy compliance: Ignorance of the law excuses no one

If you’re still unsure about your rights to privacy, or if you would like to know more about the scope and obligations pertaining to data privacy, we can help!

At Privacy Ninja, we conduct training sessions on data privacy for both individuals and organizations, so you keep yourself and your business updated. These courses range from PDPA Introductory Course to PDPA Corporate Compliance & Awareness. Our team of cybersecurity and privacy-focused professionals are on a mission to equip both individuals and businesses – in Singapore and beyond – to achieve full PDPA compliance.

Let us know how we can help you get started on your path to full PDPA compliance. To quote the famous line, “Ignorance of the law excuses no one.”

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