At Acorel, a people counting system is only truly effective if it respects this requirement: our solutions are designed to count without identifying, measure without monitoring, and optimize without ever compromising users’ trust.
Why does GDPR apply to people counting?
A people counting system measures footfall and visitor flow in a given space: transport networks, airports, office buildings, retail spaces, or museums. As soon as this counting relies on an image, a silhouette, or any other element capable of directly or indirectly identifying an individual, it falls within the scope of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), in force across the European Union since May 2018.
GDPR governs the processing of personal data and requires every organization to meet three core obligations: transparency towards users, security of processing, and legitimacy of the purpose pursued. A counting system that captures exploitable images, biometric data, or any personal identifier must therefore meet these requirements, or risk sanctions.
For further reading, the CNIL (the French data protection authority) and the EDPB (European Data Protection Board) regularly publish recommendations on the use of counting sensors and video in public spaces.
How can a counting system guarantee compliance?
GDPR compliance isn’t improvised: it relies on technical choices made upstream, right from the sensor’s design. At Acorel, five principles shape our solutions:
- Data minimization: we only collect what is strictly necessary for counting; no image or video is ever recorded.
- Anonymization at the source: the people count is calculated locally, directly within the sensor, without transmitting any exploitable video stream.
- Clear information for users: the purpose of the counting is communicated transparently.
- Enhanced security: footfall data is encrypted and transmitted via secure networks to our monitoring platform.
- Respect for individual rights: access, rectification, and deletion of data remain guaranteed at all times.
In practice, our 3D stereoscopic sensors and computer vision algorithms analyze visitor flow without ever producing an exploitable image or biometric data. No video recording is retained: our sensors don’t film, they count. This approach delivers a high level of performance while fully respecting users’ privacy.
Use cases by sector
GDPR-compliant people counting addresses very concrete needs, whatever the industry.
🚌Transport and mobility
On trains, subways, and trams, our overhead-mounted sensors measure footfall in real time. Operators can then adjust service frequency and optimize scheduling, without ever collecting any personal data.
✈️Airports and stations
In security checkpoints, boarding areas, or baggage claim, our solutions measure occupancy rates and waiting times. This allows staffing levels and cleaning schedules to be adjusted, all while strictly complying with data regulations.
🏢Smart buildings and retail
In office buildings, our systems control lighting and climate control based on actual space occupancy. In retail, museums, and shopping centers, people counting improves the visitor experience and helps adjust resources according to footfall, without any surveillance or intrusive data collection.
Acorel’s answer: 100% anonymous counting
Mounted overhead, our sensors measure visitor flow while fully preserving data confidentiality. In short, Acorel’s counting systems guarantee 100% anonymous data, assured GDPR compliance, no video storage, complete transparency for users, and proven reliability in the field.
Transparency and respect for fundamental rights have become essential to ensure the social acceptability of counting technologies. Organizations that choose responsible solutions stand out over the long term, as these use cases expand across transport networks and connected buildings alike. GDPR isn’t a barrier to innovation: it’s a lever for building trust with users.
By choosing Acorel, you’re opting for reliable technology, proven performance, and strict respect for privacy. Our goal: to help you understand, anticipate, and manage your footfall with complete peace of mind.
Do you have a people counting project to deploy in a public space, an airport, or a transport network?
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