Live Streaming allows authorized users with explicit Live Streaming permissions to access real-time video from vehicles on active trips. It supports proactive safety monitoring, incident response, and operational oversight while ensuring compliance with privacy and data protection policies.
Depending on the organization's configuration, Live Streaming may include:
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On-Demand Live Streaming: A user-initiated stream with options for outward-facing video, inward-facing video, and in-cab audio.
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Helicopter View Live Streaming: A continuous, outward-facing live stream that does not alert the driver.
Note
Live Streaming video is viewed in real time and does not automatically save to the Samsara dashboard. Footage is only uploaded if a video is requested through the Video Retrieval Process.
Before enabling or initiating Live Streaming, complete the following checklist:
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Review the Live Streaming License and Usage Limits: Verify streaming time availability and licensing needs.
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Review the Live Stream Privacy Considerations: Ensure compliance with data privacy policies.
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Review the Live Stream Requirements: Ensure the vehicle, network, and user permissions meet the necessary criteria for streaming.
After you have completed the preceding live stream checklist, you can Initiate On-Demand Live Streaming.
Each CM3x device includes 5 minutes of Live Streaming per month, and unused minutes do not roll over, nor can they be transferred or shared between devices. If additional streaming time is needed, the Live Streaming Add-on License can be purchased and must be applied to all devices in the organization.
Before you enable Live Streaming, Samsara recommends that you complete a Data Privacy Impact Assessment (DPIA) even if you have completed this assessment previously. This assessment analyzes the potential for additional privacy risks to data subjects from live streaming.
For example, the assessment determines:
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Whether a specific privacy policy applies which limits the use of live streaming to certain situations or by certain managers.
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Requirements for transparency notices, such as signage and privacy policy updates, and informing drivers and other road users that footage may be captured/live streamed in certain situations.
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Built-in limitations to live streaming, such as restrictions on simultaneous viewing and monthly time limits.
For a DPIA template, please contact your Samsara Account Representative or contact sales.
Samsara also recommends that you place a notice outside of your vehicles to notify passersby of the possibility of recording.
To initiate a live stream, ensure that:
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The vehicle has a dual-facing dash cam or a front-facing dash cam with AI capabilities.
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Your network is configured to allow outbound UDP traffic to any IP and port greater than or equal to 1024 as well as return traffic and NAT is configured to be endpoint independent. Contact your IT network specialist to confirm these settings.
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The vehicle is on a trip traveling at a speed of 5 mph or more.
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The vehicle is in range of a working cellular signal.
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The dash cam live streaming storage is within the data limits of your Live Streaming Add-on License.
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You have a custom role with Live Stream permissions.
Due to privacy concerns, default roles do not include live stream permissions. To assign live streaming permissions to a user, you must first create a custom role and then apply the role to the user. To create a custom role with live streaming permissions, perform the following detailed workflow or watch the video:
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Select the Settings icon (
) at the bottom of your Fleet menu to view dashboard settings.
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In Organization > Users & Roles > Roles, select + Add role.
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Click into the Name your role field and enter a descriptive name.
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To create a user with the minimum permissions required for Live Streaming access, expand the following categories to enable the minimum permissions:
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Cameras > View: Live Streaming
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Essentials > View: Drivers, Gateways, Location Data, and Reports
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For a user with administrative or full administrative permissions, enable View or Edit permissions for each section.
Note
Your organization requires at least one Full Admin using the default role. The lack of a Full Admin will prevent your current admins from changing some org settings or inviting new users (if the invited user has any settings or billing permissions).
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Save the custom role.
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Select the Settings icon (
) at the bottom of your Fleet menu to view dashboard settings.
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Select Organization > Users & Roles > Users, locate the user to apply the role.
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Select more options ( ... ) > Edit.
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Select the newly created role from the menu and apply the level of access (Entire Organization or select individual assets).
The role permissions display for the role Live Streaming:
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Save the changes to apply the role to the user.
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If you experience issues with the creation of a Live Streaming user or if access terminates suddenly, contact your IT network specialist to confirm all Live Stream Requirements are met.
Comments
5 comments
Is there any particular reason why a full admin user is not able to see the option to enable "live sharing"
Would also like to know
It isn't even an option
Due to privacy concerns, default roles do not include live stream permissions. See Create a Live Stream Role for more info or to create and manage the role.
Is there any way to turn off the live stream started alert??
Hello Jacob,
Turning this feature off is nor recommended as it might have important legal implications. Nevertheless, if a customer wishes to disable it, we advise reaching out to our support team. They can assist in the deactivation process and ensure a smooth experience.
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