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The National Privacy Commission reminds vloggers and content creators that recording individuals is an act of data processing that falls under the protection of the Data Privacy Act
MANILA, Philippines – The National Privacy Commission on Wednesday, June 11, reminded vloggers and content creators to be mindful of recording people, whether intentionally or accidentally, as the act is considered as data processing, which is protected under that Data Privacy Act of 2012 (DPA).
The commission released a circular that became effective on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, providing details on how data privacy laws apply to recording individuals either in a public or private setting.
” In the scenario where vloggers are recording footage of themselves in action, e.g., eating, shopping, driving, biking, dancing, walking, or otherwise engaged in general video recording activities in public or semi-public places which may capture audio-visual information of bystanders or other people, vloggers shall ensure that that personal data processing activities are done in a fair and lawful manner and affected data subjects will be able to exercise their rights,” the circular stated.
Vloggers are asked to “ensure transparency and provide adequate information to the data subjects prior to the commencement of any video recording activity, including the fact that the resulting footage will be uploaded, posted, published or otherwise shared online, and how they may exercise their data privacy rights.”
They are asked have a privacy notice on their online platforms that inform people as to how affected data subjects can ask for the content to be erased or taken down, if indeed the publication of the content was deemed violative of their data privacy rights, beyond the exceptions provided in Sections 12 and 13 of the Data Privacy Act.
Vloggers “are required to use available technology that can mask images of bystanders, especially children and other vulnerable individuals.”
Violation of the said circular will carry criminal, civil, and administrative liability pursuant to the provisions of the DPA, its IRR, and related issuances of the NPC,” the commission said.
The circular also laid out guidelines for the use of body-cameras by law enforcement in sensitive operations such as the execution of warrants. The privacy body said that law enforcement agencies :must ensure proper authorization, clear retention policies, and mechanisms for public access requests and complaints.”
Privacy Commissioner John Henry Naga said, “With the growing use of body-worn cameras across law enforcement, private security, and even digital content creation, we are entering a new era where the boundary between public safety, personal expression, and individual privacy is increasingly complex. NPC Circular No. 2025-01 reflects our commitment to ensuring that technologies meant to enhance transparency and accountability do not come at the cost of unwarranted surveillance or intrusion of privacy.” – Rappler.com
