My neighbours have CCTV cameras watching the cars on there driveway, but the cameras also pick up the conversations my wife and I have when on our driveway or balcony. Are these cameras legal or is it an invasion of privacy?
2007-06-29 07:50:37 · 11 answers · asked by stocky041280@btinternet.com 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
The cameras are legal if they are not recording sound. Recording conversations is not legal.
2007-06-29 07:52:43 · answer #1 · answered by regerugged 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The question that usually comes up, is there a reasonable expectation of privacy? There is no restriction to photographing anyone if they are in a public place since there can be no expectation of privacy.
Is it reasonable to expect privacy on your driveway or balcony? The driveway I would not expect privacy since it it open to the public & in public view.
HOWEVER, your balcony may fall under the rule. How open & exposed to the public is your balcony? Are there open rails or does the balcony have solid walls?
As far as recording conversation, I know from a law enforcement stand point an officer can overhear anything if the officer is in a legal location, i.e. in a location the officer has a legal authority. If he can overhear the talk, he can also record it from the same location. This maybe relevant to this situation also. The neighbors camera/microphone is on their own property thus they have a right to be there. If your conversation is loud enough to be picked up by the mic, then they can record it.
I am curious how you "know" the system picks up conversation from your driveway & balcony. Did the neighbors tell you? If so, what was your response? How long has this been going on? Have you ever voiced you displeasure to the neighbors?
It would be interesting to hear this argued in court. If I was your lawyer I would definitely argue the invasion of privacy on my own property. IF I was their lawyer I would argue there can be no invasion of privacy unless there is a reasonable expectation of privacy & how can it be reasonable if the camera/mic are in plain view PLUS you are aware they are there. That's kind of like expecting privacy at a nudist colony - it's all out in the open!
2007-06-29 15:19:30 · answer #2 · answered by XPig 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The CCTV cameras are on your neighbor's property and they're being used for legitimate safeguarding purposes (protecting their vehicles) so yes, the cameras are legal. The only way you would have a claim of invasion of privacy is if you could prove that your neighbors were using them to eavesdrop on your conversations or to spy on you, and proving that would be next to impossible.
2007-06-29 14:55:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is an invasion of privacy if the cameras are watching your private driveway and private balcony. you will have to ask them to turn them away so they don't watch over your driveway/balcony. and there is no need for sound on a CCTV so maybe they are spying on you?
I hope not
good luck
2007-06-29 14:55:31 · answer #4 · answered by Maon 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They could be considered an invasion of privacy in this case. Have a word with the local council and the police
2007-06-29 15:01:09 · answer #5 · answered by Angel A 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like an invasion of privacy to me!
legal or not
I would give them something GOOD to watch and listen to!
2007-06-29 14:52:15 · answer #6 · answered by Tray B 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
they are perfectly legal as far as im aware! we have cameras that just watch the cars on our drive, however they dont record sound, i think thats going a bit far really! sorry i cant really help you out much :( xx
2007-06-29 15:05:58 · answer #7 · answered by lalala 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are legal. They are not forcing their camera into your home to record your conversations.
2007-06-29 14:52:48 · answer #8 · answered by civil_av8r 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, I think so. No one is allowed to record or take a picture of you without your permission, i believe you can ask them to remove it.
2007-06-29 14:55:28 · answer #9 · answered by Hammeh 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I Like Tray's answer.....I'd hire two....ladies.....to put on a show....ya know what I mean?
2007-06-29 15:19:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋