A video doorbell has become an essential home security item for thousands of homes across the UK. However, these devices could open you up to a serious legal risk that few people understand.
If you are not careful with how you position the camera, you could find yourself in breach of UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). If you happen to fall outside of the law and ignore the issue, it can quickly become very expensive. A legal battle is not only expensive, with potential for a £1,000 fine and legal costs, but can also be incredibly stressful.
James Clarke, PC and consumer tech expert at Cacti PCs, said the root of the problem is a failure to understand the ‘private space’ rule.
He said: “The convenience of a video doorbell has led to millions of quick, DIY installations where homeowners don’t consider the legal implications.
“When you’re recording someone walking up your own driveway, you’re fine. But the instant that lens captures a neighbour’s private property, their garden, their front door, or a window, you’ve just become a data controller under UK law.
“This triggers the strict rules of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
“Your neighbour has a right to privacy, and by continuously recording their private space, you can be found to be in breach.
“A £1,000 fine is a real possibility, but the much larger financial risk is having to pay for the other side’s legal fees.”
Luckily, there are a couple of simple ways you can make sure that your home is secure – and that you’re on the right side of the law.
The first thing to do is check the doorbell for a ‘privacy zone’ or ‘block out’ feature within the accompanying app.
This feature lets you black out any aspects of the camera which cover your neighbour’s private space, such as their patio or window.
Another general rule to keep in mind is the 25% rule. If more than 25% of your camera’s field of view captures a neighbour’s property or a shared boundary, you are likely in violation.
To fix this, simply tilt the camera down a few degrees to focus on your own doorstep rather than your neighbours.
If your camera has a microphone, make sure it is not sensitive enough to pick up the conversations of your neighbours.
James said: “Even if the video is legally compliant, recording conversations on a neighbour’s property can also be a breach of their privacy.
“If your camera has a sensitive microphone that picks up dialogue from their garden, you should look into adjusting the sound recording sensitivity or, if possible, restricting its range.”