There is no single universal retention period for every private-sector camera system. Official privacy guidance says recordings should be kept only as long as necessary for the stated purpose, subject to legal requirements.
At a glance
- Privacy guidance recommends defining a retention period rather than keeping footage indefinitely.
- Footage connected to an incident may need different treatment from routine footage.
- Secure destruction is part of responsible information management.
Short answer
The official rules establish the baseline, but the correct operational response still depends on the property, the applicable law and the facts. The safest approach is to define the procedure before the issue occurs and avoid adding powers, guarantees or requirements that the official sources do not establish.
Questions to confirm
- What purpose requires the footage to be retained?
- Is there a legal, contractual or investigation hold?
- How is footage securely deleted when no longer needed?
Picture this at your property
A property’s recorder can store six months of video, but capacity alone is not a retention policy. The organization should decide what period is necessary for its purpose and document exceptions.
The value of the example is the decision process: identify what is known, what remains uncertain, who has authority, and what information should be preserved for follow-up.
Practical takeaway
Treat the answer as a starting point. Confirm the current rule that applies to the organization and property, then document the procedure the people on site are expected to follow.
Official sources & verification
1. Guidelines for Overt Video Surveillance in the Private Sector — Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
2. Privacy Guide for Businesses — Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
3. Guidelines for the Use of Video Surveillance — Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
Last reviewed: 2026-08-08. This resource provides general information and is not privacy or legal advice. Privacy obligations depend on the organization, activity and applicable law. Confirm current requirements with the appropriate privacy regulator or qualified legal counsel.