THE RIGHT OF ACCESS TO PUBLIC SECURITY CAMERA FOOTAGE: A RESTRICTIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the citizen’s right to access images captured by public security cameras, discussing their legal and social implications in the context of the conflict between public transparency and privacy protection. The research, qualitative in nature, was developed through bibliographic and documentary review, including analysis of applicable constitutional and infraconstitutional legislation, as well as judicial decisions and recent doctrinal contributions on the subject. The study found that although the Federal Constitution guarantees the right of access to information, unrestricted access to video surveillance images may violate the principles of inviolability of privacy, private life, and personal image, generating risks to legal security, the protection of personal data, and the integrity of third parties. The results indicate that access to such images should occur in a restricted and controlled manner, based on adequate justification and exclusively by competent authorities, preventing abusive use of the material and practices of private justice. It is concluded that there is an urgent need for specific regulation to balance administrative transparency, public security, and fundamental rights, as well as to address normative and jurisprudential gaps still present in Brazilian law.