Privacy Zones and Masking
Sometimes the best way to protect privacy is not to capture certain areas at all. Privacy zones let you permanently block specific parts of the camera view—neighboring properties, public spaces, or any area you shouldn't be recording.
When to Use Privacy Zones
Neighboring Properties
Block views into adjacent homes, offices, or private spaces that you don't have permission to record.
Public Streets & Sidewalks
Mask areas where uninvolved pedestrians pass through to minimize personal data capture.
Sensitive Building Areas
Exclude windows, break areas, or other spaces where workers have privacy expectations.
Third-Party Equipment
Avoid documenting competitor equipment, proprietary processes, or confidential areas.
How Privacy Zones Work
Define Zones
Draw rectangular or polygonal areas on the camera view that should be hidden.
Permanent Masking
Selected areas are blacked out or blurred before photos are saved.
Applies to All Output
Privacy zones affect live view, stored photos, and time-lapse videos.
Adjustable Over Time
As project phases change, zones can be updated if needed.
Privacy Zones vs Face Blurring
| Aspect | Face Blurring | Privacy Zones |
|---|---|---|
| What it hides | Individual faces anywhere in frame | Entire areas regardless of content |
| Best for | Anonymizing workers and visitors | Blocking views of neighboring properties |
| Dynamic | Yes - detects faces in real-time | No - fixed areas you define |
| Use together | Yes | Yes - complementary approaches |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between privacy zones and face blurring?
Privacy zones permanently block specific areas of the camera view—like putting tape over part of the lens digitally. Face blurring detects and obscures faces anywhere in the frame. They serve different purposes: privacy zones protect fixed locations (neighboring windows), while face blurring protects moving people. You can use both together.
Can I change privacy zones after setup?
Yes, privacy zones can be adjusted through the camera settings. However, changes only apply going forward—previously captured photos retain their original privacy zones. This is intentional, as historical photos may have been shared based on the privacy configuration at capture time.
Do privacy zones affect photo quality in non-masked areas?
No. Privacy zones only affect the designated areas. The rest of your construction site is captured at full resolution and quality. You lose visibility only where you've intentionally chosen to block.
Are privacy zones required for GDPR compliance?
Not always. Privacy zones are one tool for minimizing data collection. If your camera captures neighboring properties or public areas where you have no legitimate interest, privacy zones help you avoid collecting unnecessary personal data. Combined with face blurring for people on your site, you create a comprehensive privacy approach.
Can I have multiple privacy zones on one camera?
Yes. You can define several zones per camera to mask different areas—for example, blocking a neighbor's window on one side and a public sidewalk on another.
Related Topics
Protect Privacy by Design
Privacy zones and face blurring work together for comprehensive GDPR compliance.
