What is CamInfo?
CamInfo is a community-led initiative that helps individuals and organizations communicate the presence and capabilities of video cameras through standardized "Camera Nutrition Labels." We're making it easy for camera owners to be transparent about what their cameras do, and for people to understand what data is being collected in spaces they visit.
Our Inspiration: CamInfo is inspired by the IoT Security & Privacy Label initiative led by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University. While there's no formal affiliation between us, we share the belief that transparent labeling helps build trust. Learn more about their work.
We're also driven by:
- The need for greater transparency about what modern camera systems can actually do
- A commitment to helping people understand how their faces and images are being captured, processed, and potentially stored
- The desire to promote respectful technology practices that balance security needs with privacy rights
Why use camera labels?
In an increasingly surveilled world, transparency builds trust. Camera labels:
- Help people make informed choices about the spaces they enter
- Allow camera owners to demonstrate responsible data practices
- Create a standard way to communicate complex technical capabilities
- Promote ethical use of surveillance technology
How it works
Each CamInfo label includes critical information about:
- Video and audio capabilities
- Motion detection and facial recognition usage
- Data storage location and security
- Retention periods
- Access controls and contact information
Labels can be displayed physically near cameras or linked via QR codes to provide detailed information.
Join the Movement
CamInfo is built by people like you who believe in responsible camera usage and transparency. Here's how you can contribute:
- Create and display CamInfo labels for your own cameras
- Help improve our label templates and guidelines
- Share the initiative with camera manufacturers and building managers
- Provide feedback on how we can make the system more effective
Community Hub on GitHub
We use GitHub as our community hub where everyone can participate in making camera transparency more accessible.
How to Participate:
- Download Templates: Get the latest camera label templates to use for your own cameras
- Suggest Improvements: Open issues to suggest new features or improvements to existing templates
- Join Discussions: Participate in conversations about camera transparency best practices
- Contribute: Submit pull requests with your own templates or improvements
No GitHub experience? No problem! You can still browse all resources and download templates without creating an account.
Example
See how a CamInfo label looks in practice:
Related Resources
Explore other initiatives working on technology transparency:
- IoT Security & Privacy Label - Carnegie Mellon University's pioneering work on IoT device labeling
- Hidden in Plain Sight: Why We Need "Camera-Ingredients" Labels - Blog post by Dario Salice exploring the concept of transparency labels for surveillance cameras
Contact
Want to add a label to your own camera setup or get involved? Reach out: dario@jenario.com