CCTV cameras are incredibly useful pieces of equipment. From reducing crime rates to providing peace of mind and security for your property, there are many benefits to owning a CCTV camera.
If you're thinking about using a hidden camera, there are a few rules and regulations that you need to follow to use a hidden camera legally.
Is it illegal to put a hidden camera in my house?
If you are using a hidden camera inside the home for capturing personal, family or household affairs then it is perfectly legal to do so.
This does not apply for secretly filming employees within the home, such as cleaners and babysitters.
If you plan to use a hidden camera to monitor employees within the home or your workspace, then employees must be made aware of the camera's presence. It is also important to note that employees are legally allowed to request access to the footage of themselves through a Subject Access Request, and the CCTV owner must grant this access under the rules of the Data Protection Act.
Is it illegal to put a hidden camera outside of my house?
If you are planning on using a hidden camera outside of the home then there are a few rules to follow to ensure that you do this legally.
You are allowed to install CCTV cameras or smart doorbells on your property, as long as you make an effort to point them away from anyone else's property, garden, or any other public shared space such as residential streets.
Obviously, this is not always possible but you should always try to make the effort to reduce the risk of being challenged under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.
What counts as 'illegal surveillance'?
Illegal surveillance can be defined as any monitoring or recording where individuals would expect privacy. For instance, it would be illegal to use a hidden camera in a toilet, changing room, washroom, or any similar environment.
There are only a few extremely exceptional cases where surveillance in these private areas would be allowed, and this would only ever be due for a legal purpose. The use of a hidden camera in these circumstances would have to be approved by the police or a larger governing body.
If you'd like to have your own CCTV system installed for your property, do not hesitate to contact our team at IDS security and we will be happy to assist you. If you have any further questions about CCTV monitoring, check out our blog for other frequently asked questions about security.
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