The Land Transport Authority has released an updated set of guidelines for the installation and use of inward-facing in-vehicle recording devices (IVRDs) in public service vehicles (PSVs).

Two key changes to LTA’s guidelines for installation of inward-facing IVRDs

2.   First, all buses^[1] will now be exempted from LTA’s IVRD guidelines. This is because buses are similar to public spaces and are shared by many passengers. LTA’s IVRD guidelines will continue to apply to taxis and private hire cars (PHCs), given that these are smaller enclosed spaces.

3.   Second, audio recordings will now be allowed in inward-facing IVRDs, in addition to video recordings. This makes the recordings more effective in supporting investigations into inappropriate or violent behaviour as well as fare-related disputes. A recent REACH poll^[2] revealed that 9 in 10 respondents felt that these devices can help protect the interests of both commuters and drivers. Of those who agreed that such devices should be allowed in taxis and PHCs, around 9 in 10 also felt that both audio and video recordings should be allowed.

4.   LTA’s revised IVRD guidelines will come into effect on 15 July 2019.

Stringent requirements continue to apply to taxis and PHCs

5.   Taxi operators, PHC booking service operators, taxi/PHC owners and drivers are reminded that they must obtain permission from LTA to install and use inward-facing IVRDs prior to approaching the authorised installation centres to carry out the installation. Three companies have been appointed as authorised installation centres for IVRDs and as data controllers. They are:

a.   i Vision Pte Ltd;
b.   Solo Pte Ltd; and
c.   SSTA Technology Development Pte Ltd.

6.   All taxis and PHCs with inward-facing IVRDs installed must display signs or decals to notify passengers of the installed device. For pre-booked rides, taxi companies and PHC booking service operators must notify commuters in advance if a vehicle with an inward-facing IVRD is despatched to them.

7.   In addition, only authorised personnel in relevant Government agencies and LTA-authorised data controllers are allowed access to the recordings to support investigation and enforcement efforts. All taxi drivers and PHC drivers are not allowed to use unauthorised recording devices such as mobile phones to record audio and/or video within their vehicles.

8.   Please refer to the Annex for the updated IVRD installation guidelines. LTA’s guidelines will complement the Personal Data Protection Commission’s (PDPC) Advisory Guidelines on in-vehicle recording^[3].


Annex: Full guidelines for installation of inward-facing IVRDs

^[1] The current guidelines already exclude Omnibuses, like Go Ahead, SBS Transit, SMRT Buses and Tower Transit’s buses that are operating public bus services, and Private Buses (e.g. company buses used to ferry its own employees). While buses are exempted from the new guidelines, they are still subject to the Personal Data Protection Commission’s (PDPC) Advisory Guidelines.

^[2] More details on the poll are available at www.reach.gov.sg/~/media/2019/press-release/invehicle-recording-devices-poll-media-release.pdf.

^[3] The Personal Data Protection Commission’s (PDPC) Advisory Guidelines on In-Vehicle Recordings by Transport Services for Hire, are available at www.pdpc.gov.sg/Legislation-and-Guidelines/Guidelines.