PDPL and Industrial Camera Usage: A Compliance Guide

Industrial AI Cameras and PDPL: Can Safety and Privacy Coexist?

While AI-powered camera systems are revolutionizing industrial safety, data privacy remains a significant concern for both employers and employees. "Are camera systems PDPL-compliant?" is one of the most frequently asked questions in safety technology purchasing decisions.

In this guide, we explore how PDPL compliance is achieved in industrial AI camera usage and the advantages Edge AI technology offers in this area.

What Is PDPL and How Does It Affect Industrial Cameras?

The Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL/KVKK, Law No. 6698) is the fundamental legal framework regulating the processing of personal data in Türkiye. Camera images fall within the scope of personal data because individuals can be identified from the imagery.

Key PDPL considerations for industrial camera systems:

• Processing purpose: Camera usage must have a legitimate purpose (workplace safety)
• Proportionality: Collected data must be proportional to the purpose
• Disclosure obligation: Employees must be informed about camera usage
• Data security: Collected data must be protected with appropriate technical measures
• Retention period: Data must not be stored longer than necessary

Privacy Risks of Cloud-Based Systems

In traditional cloud-based AI systems, camera images are sent to central servers or cloud platforms for analysis. Privacy risks of this approach:

Data transfer risk: Images leave the factory, creating interception risk during transfer.

Third-party access: Cloud providers and potentially other parties can access the data.

Cross-border data transfer: If cloud servers are abroad, PDPL cross-border data transfer restrictions apply.

Data breach risk: Security vulnerabilities in central servers can lead to mass data breaches.

Edge AI: The Technological Solution to the Privacy Problem

Edge AI performs AI analysis directly on the camera device rather than in the cloud. This architecture provides significant advantages for PDPL compliance.

Data Never Leaves the Factory

ISEE-CAM performs all image processing and decision-making on its own processor. Camera images are never sent to the cloud, central servers, or outside the factory. Data is processed at its source and stays at its source.

No Personal Data Recording

ISEE-CAM does not perform facial recognition and does not record personally identifiable data when detecting workers. The system analyzes human presence, position, and relationship to danger zones — it detects where someone is, not who they are.

No Internet Connection Required

The Edge AI architecture operates without internet connectivity. This means the data transfer channel is never opened — when there's no transfer, there's no transfer risk.

Practical Steps for PDPL Compliance

When installing an industrial AI camera system, ensure PDPL compliance by:

1. Prepare a disclosure notice: Inform employees about the camera's purpose, data processing methods, and their rights.

2. Update your data processing inventory: Include the camera system and processing purpose (workplace safety) in your VERBIS registration.

3. Conduct a data impact assessment: Evaluate the camera system's privacy impact and document risk-minimizing measures.

4. Choose Edge AI: Systems that process data at source carry the lowest PDPL compliance risk.

5. Implement access control: Limit camera management interface access to authorized personnel.

6. Define retention policy: If recording, define retention periods and deletion procedures.

Comparison with EU GDPR

PDPL shares similar principles with the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). For businesses with international clients, the Edge AI approach simultaneously ensures both PDPL and GDPR compliance.

Addressing Employee Concerns

The "they're watching us" perception is the most common employee objection to camera system installations. To manage this perception:

• Explain that the system's purpose is detecting hazardous situations, not monitoring individuals
• Emphasize that with Edge AI, data never leaves the factory and no facial recognition is performed
• Highlight that the system is used to enhance worker safety
• Build trust through transparent communication and disclosure notices

Conclusion

PDPL compliance with industrial AI camera systems is achievable through the right technology choice. Edge AI architecture technically minimizes privacy risks by processing data at source.

ISEE-CAM's Edge AI approach delivers workplace safety and data privacy together. Images never leave the factory, no personal data is recorded, and no internet connection is needed. This architecture meets PDPL requirements at the highest technical security level.

For detailed information on PDPL compliance and workplace safety, contact ISEE Vision.