Camera and consent in assessments: what to consider
Using a camera in an assessment involves sensitive data and requires specific, informed consent from the candidate. What to consider to do it right.
Using a camera in an online assessment means recording especially sensitive data, which is why it requires the candidate’s specific, informed consent. The candidate must know what is recorded, why, and how their data is handled before taking the test. Doing this well isn’t only a legal obligation: it’s what separates a measure that protects the reliability of the result from one that feels like surveillance.
Note: camera-based measures may involve sensitive or biometric data. Their use requires the candidate’s consent and must be defined with your legal team according to each country’s regulations.
Why the camera is a special case
Not all assessment data is the same. A name or a test result is ordinary data; images of the face and the observations derived from them are usually sensitive or biometric data, with a higher protection standard. That means generic consent isn’t enough: you need explicit consent, for that specific purpose.
What to consider before using a camera
| Aspect | What to take care of |
|---|---|
| Consent | Specific, informed and prior to the test. Not buried in fine print. |
| Information for the candidate | What is recorded, why, who reviews it and how long it’s kept. |
| Proportionality | Use only what’s necessary given the role’s risk. |
| Type of capture | Point-in-time snapshots (around eight per test), not continuous recording. |
| Human review | Signals support a person who decides; never a system that disqualifies on its own. |
| Local regulations | Data handling is defined under each country’s law, with your legal team. |
Well-handled consent protects everyone
Clear consent isn’t a formality: it’s what turns a potentially intrusive measure into fair play. The candidate knows what’s being accessed and why, and that protects whoever responds honestly—because it ensures everyone is assessed by the same standard. For the HR team, well-framed consent also reduces risk and sustains the reliability of the result.
What snapshots do and don’t do
Camera snapshots help verify that it’s the same person taking the test and, together with other signals, add context about the session. From them, behavioral observations are derived—attention to the screen, gaze drifting away—that support human review. What they do not do: they don’t diagnose, don’t detect lies and don’t disqualify automatically. They’re inputs for a person, not a verdict.
See how Kokoro applies the camera with consent and human review.
Ver controles de integridadIn summary
Using a camera in an assessment requires specific, informed consent, clear information for the candidate, proportionate use and human review. Snapshots support the review; they don’t disqualify or diagnose. The specific handling is defined under each country’s regulations and with your legal team. Done well, consent protects whoever responds honestly. Learn about the integrity controls or see how it works.