A neighbour has been left horrified after noticing the house next door was recording her garden and hot tub through CCTV.
A woman took to social media to detail the situation and seek advice from fellow users.
She said: “I found this out by accident…I don’t think I was ever meant to know.
“Anyway, I knew my neighbour had CCTV installed, and recently found out that it covers all of my driveway, and a lot of my garden.
A young woman with a head tie enjoying a view of a Tuscany in September from a hot tub
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“I’ve even heard/seen the camera swivel when I was in the hot tub! Pretty sure that’s not allowed.”
She continued: “But I’ve more recently found out, that their CCTV also records sound, even the teeniest noise is picked up.
“On a rare day off, I’ve had what I thought were private conversations with friends in the top corner of my garden, when everyone else was at work.
“As it turns out, every single word will have been recorded. I feel violated.”
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A outdoor home security smart home technology camera looking directly into camera with recording light on
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The post was picked up on Mumsnet by a number of fellow users.
One person wrote: “Just ask the police to go round and check he isn’t recording or perving on you.
“CCTV isn’t allowed to encroach on your property or privacy.”
Another commented: “I’d also play white noise close to where his camera is to make it hard for the camera to record your conversations. I’d really not be happy with this. It’s so intrusive.”
A woman lying in a hot tub
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A third added: “You can’t record people in their own environment!
“I’d be seeking some free lawyer advice as to what your rights are! Good luck.”
Someone else added: “I would have deliberate conversations when you have friends over about how your neighbour has cameras and recorders everywhere so no gossip allowed.”
The Government’s guidance on domestic CCTV said: “Ensure that you are transparent to those around you when installing your CCTV system. You can do this by: informing your neighbour(s) about your system [and] putting up a notice informing people that recording is taking place.”
Video surveillance and security camera on the exterior of a house
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ICO guidance also suggests residents can complain directly if a neighbour does not follow the rules.
It added: “You can complain to us when a user of domestic CCTV doesn’t follow the rules.
“We can send a letter asking them to resolve things, eg put up the appropriate signage or respond to data protection requests.
“There is a limited amount of action the ICO can take after this point to make the person comply.
“It is highly unlikely the ICO will consider it fair or balanced to take enforcement action against a domestic CCTV user.”
Source Agencies
