Are occupancy sensors safe and privacy compliant?
Are occupancy sensors safe and privacy compliant?
Some occupancy sensors are privacy-first by design—especially radar-based options—while others, like camera-based sensors, introduce serious privacy, security, and legal risks.
Choosing the right technology makes a major difference. Radar occupancy sensors, such as Density’s Waffle, deliver accurate, real-time people counting without capturing personally identifiable information (PII). In contrast, optical (camera) sensors often record sensitive visuals that can compromise employee trust and corporate security.
The privacy and security risks of optical sensors
Camera-based sensors (also called “optical sensors”) are often marketed as “low-resolution” or “anonymized,” but they still involve capturing visual imagery:
- Can expose sensitive information like whiteboards, documents, and computer screens
- May violate expectations of privacy in workspaces like desks, private offices, or meeting rooms
- Pose a security threat as third-party camera feeds can be exploited by hackers as network entry points
Example: Some companies have been forced to remove optical sensors after employee backlash and legal review.
Why radar-based sensors are the safe, privacy-compliant choice
Radar sensors use radio waves—not cameras or WiFi snooping—to detect and count people anonymously.
They don’t capture images, track devices, or store identifying data. That makes them ideal for sensitive environments like:
- Desks and focus areas
- Conference rooms
- Airports, lounges, and hospitality spaces
- Education and healthcare facilities
Radar-based sensors:
- Respect employee privacy and reduce surveillance concerns
- Protect against data breaches—no images, no PII, no risk of visual leaks
- Are compliant-ready for security-conscious legal and IT teams
Key privacy questions to ask any sensor vendor
Before deploying an occupancy sensor system, ask:
- Can you show me exactly what your sensor sees?
If it’s a camera, the answer will reveal visual imagery. - What data is stored, and for how long?
- Does the system require identifying people or devices to function?
If vendors can’t clearly demonstrate anonymous operation, you’re accepting unnecessary legal and ethical risk.
Real-world example: Privacy-first at scale
Companies using Density’s radar-based sensors, including Waffle, have:
- Reduced cleaning costs by 30% using real-time usage data
- Cut multi-million-dollar leases by identifying unused floors
- Deployed sensors across sensitive areas without employee pushback
All while never capturing images or identifying data.
Summary
Yes—occupancy sensors can be safe and privacy-compliant, but only if you choose the right technology.
Radar-based sensors are the most secure and anonymous way to measure real-time space usage, while camera-based systems create ethical, security, and legal liabilities.
If you care about trust, compliance, and performance, radar is the future-proof solution.
Explore more guides
How do I improve the employee experience with workplace analytics?
You can improve the employee experience by using workplace analytics and occupancy sensors to design better spaces, support hybrid work, and make data-driven decisions that align with how people actually use your office.
Workplace analytics helps you understand how your environment supports (or hinders) focus, collaboration, well-being, and productivity—all of which directly impact engagement and retention.
What are the advantages of occupancy sensors?
Occupancy sensors provide real-time, accurate insights into how spaces are used—helping companies reduce costs, improve office design, and make better business decisions.
They eliminate guesswork from space planning and empower workplace, facilities, and real estate teams to optimize every square foot.
What are effective workplace strategies for the return to office?
The most effective return-to-office (RTO) strategies combine clear policy, human-centered flexibility, data-driven decisions, and office designs that employees actually want to use.
RTO success isn’t just about mandating a presence—it’s about building a workplace that drives collaboration, morale, and performance.
How do I know if my office space is being wasted?
You can tell if your office space is being wasted by measuring how often each space is used—and occupancy sensors provide the real-time data you need to find out.
If desks, meeting rooms, or entire floors are consistently empty or underutilized, that’s space (and money) going to waste. Tools like Density’s Waffle and Atlas help companies assess usage accurately so they can cut costs and improve the workplace experience.