SingaporeCan CCTV in my condo record me without consent?
Yes, CCTV in your condo can record you without your consent if it’s for legitimate purposes like security and complies with the Personal Data Protection Act 2012.
What the Law Says
The Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (PDPA) governs how personal data — including images captured by CCTV — may be collected, used, or disclosed in Singapore. It applies to private sector organisations, including condominium management councils and property managers.
CCTV footage that captures individuals’ faces or identifiable behaviour is considered 'personal data' under the PDPA. However, the law does not require individual consent for every instance of collection — instead, it allows collection without consent if it is 'reasonable' for the purpose and if individuals are given appropriate notice.
Section 13 of the PDPA sets out the 'Purpose Limitation Principle', which says that an organisation may collect personal data only for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances, and only with the individual’s knowledge or consent — unless an exception applies.
For security-related CCTV in common areas (e.g., entrances, corridors, car parks), courts and regulators have consistently treated such use as reasonable and exempt from requiring prior consent — provided clear signage notifies residents and visitors that recording is taking place.
Statutory TextAn organisation may collect personal data about an individual only for purposes that a reasonable person would consider appropriate in the circumstances for which the data is collected.
— Personal Data Protection Act 2012, s. 13 — Purpose Limitation
What to Do
Check for visible signage near CCTV cameras stating that recording is in progress and for what purpose (e.g., 'Security surveillance in operation').
Raise concerns with your Management Council if cameras point into private areas (e.g., inside your unit, balconies, or changing areas) — this likely breaches PDPA reasonableness standards.
Request access to your personal data (e.g., footage featuring you) under PDPA s. 21, if needed.
File a complaint with the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) if signage is missing or use appears excessive or non-security-related.
Sources
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JapanNot legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.