Privacy, Security & Regulatory Trends

Modern cameras are no longer just devices that record video. They now analyze, identify, and make decisions in real time, becoming intelligent systems that support traffic management, security, and public safety. As their capabilities grow, so does the need to balance innovation with privacy and regulation.

According to Dalibor Smažinka, Security Technologies Specialist at Axis Communications (Czechia), this balance isn’t about slowing progress but guiding it in the right direction.

“In the short term, regulations slow innovation… but in the long run, they clean the market from irresponsible solutions, support quality manufacturers, and build trust in the technology we produce.”

Smažinka compared the situation to the evolution of the automotive industry. Cars became safer and more trusted only after decades of regulation that introduced seatbelts, airbags, and crash testing. The same principle applies to AI-powered technologies: regulation helps ensure they are safe, reliable, and accepted by society.

Privacy laws such as the EU’s GDPR and the upcoming AI Act are already shaping how systems are designed. One of the biggest changes is the move toward edge-based processing, where data is analyzed directly on the camera rather than sent to central servers. This “privacy by design” approach reduces data exposure and limits the risk of leaks while also improving efficiency and speed.

Tertius Wolfaardt, Architecture & Engineering Manager – Middle East and Africa at Axis Communications (Dubai), noted that in his region, compliance looks very different. Each country, and sometimes each city, can have its own regulations, making system design complex but necessary.

“We need to be very close to governments to educate them on what new technologies are and what benefits they bring,” he said.

He also emphasized the growing importance of practical security measures such as SD-card encryption, device validation, and privacy masking, which help organizations meet regulations while maintaining functionality.

In Europe, frameworks like NIS 2 and Critical Entity Resilience (CER) are adding another layer of accountability by strengthening cybersecurity and system resilience for cities and infrastructure operators.

Regulation may add paperwork and testing, but it also ensures that technologies are developed responsibly. As Smažinka put it, these standards “make us more responsible and push us to develop products that keep our customers safer.”

The result is not slower innovation, but smarter innovation, one that builds long-term trust in the technologies shaping our connected world.

‍