Cyprus parliament approves use of police body and vehicle cameras

On March 26, the Cypriot Parliament approved legislation by 24 votes in favor that authorizes police officers to use body-worn cameras and recording devices in patrol vehicles. The law outlines specific activation scenarios, including arrests, searches, pursuits, crime scene responses, and high-risk operations. To protect privacy, officers are generally required to inform the public when recording, except in exceptional circumstances. Footage from sensitive body searches will be subject to technical masking to ensure privacy. All collected data must be stored in an encrypted format and retained for a maximum of six months unless needed for ongoing judicial proceedings. Unauthorized access or illegal use of the recordings is classified as a criminal offense, punishable by up to three years in prison. Supporters, including Nikos Tornaritis of DISY, stated the law enhances transparency and accountability, while AKEL MP Andreas Pasiourtidis noted that privacy safeguards remain a priority.