Home security camera footage can be used in court so long as it passes some basic criteria. The criteria you need to meet varies from country to country, state to state, so please take the below as a general guideline as opposed to actual legal advice:
- Authenticity: footage must be a true reflection of the events that you claim transpired
- Relevance: footage is relevant to your case and that it is a really important part of your argument
- Originality: don’t purposely erase your original footage thinking your backup files are enough
- Reasonable expectation of privacy: may be a good idea to post a sticker letting individuals know that your space is being monitored by security cameras
Whether you’re implementing your own security system, placing a camera in your workplace, or considering the installation of a camera on our outside of your property, you are probably wondering if you are violating any laws…
Generally speaking, it is legal to record with a hidden camera in your home or public place without the consent of the person you’re recording. However, there are some exceptions to that must be abided, or it becomes illegal.
The bottom line is: feel free to use hidden cameras in any way you see fit at your home as long as your guests have a “reasonable expectation of privacy”. In your home, these areas might include bathrooms or bedrooms, especially if the subject is living on the property.
However, when we’re talking about homes, if you host Airbnb guests or any other kinds of people that you welcome into your home, it is illegal to spy on them. Known as the “reasonable expectation of privacy” clause, this rule states that hidden cameras are not legal in private situations, including public restrooms, locker rooms, and other similar spaces.
Simply stated, if you violate their privacy, they have a right to sue you.
Do you need a Media Request to Photograph, Record, or Broadcast?
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