May I record with a dashcam?
Recording allowed for own evidence. Publication without anonymisation often not. Footage max 7 days unless relevant accident. Dashcam must be removed at police check.
Dashcams are legal in NL — popular for accident evidence, parking damage, road rage. Four rules: (1) Recording allowed — household exception or legitimate interest. (2) Publication (on YouTube, social media): almost always unlawful without anonymisation — licence plates + faces = personal data. At most anonymous for educational content. (3) Retention: max 7 days for general "loop" mode. Longer only on concrete incident + evidence value. (4) On accident: dashcam footage is evidence under Dutch Criminal Procedure Code 359a + civil proceedings. Insurer may request. What is NOT allowed? Following specific vehicles (= stalking), sharing footage in WhatsApp groups, dashcam with "cloud streaming" without Schrems II TIA, audio recording by default on. On police check: dashcam footage is evidence both ways — can help or burden you. Tip: choose dashcam with local-only storage (no cloud). Filter footage immediately + select only incident-relevant.
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