Surveillance Legalities

As the use of video surveillance becomes more common so do issues concerning surveillance legalities.

No one can deny that video surveillance is a useful tool for capturing evidence of abuse, theft, misconduct and identifying criminals. Thanks to covert or hidden cameras many abusive nannies and criminals have been stopped and prosecuted. There is the question however of if and when it is illegal to use surveillance. Are hidden, spy, covert or nanny cameras a violation of a person's right to privacy?

There are very few laws that govern the use of video surveillance, especially in public places. Surveillance legalities or laws vary from state to state and are often misinterpreted. Most generally, investigations happen when an "invasion of privacy" occurs. In order to avoid any legal action against you or your company it is best to use caution and be completely aware of the laws in your state before installing surveillance equipment.

Here are some guidelines to consider.

Find out the laws regulating the use of surveillance in your state.
Before installing a surveillance system of any kind, consult with a lawyer or legal expert to be sure of all the state laws that regulate how and when it is acceptable to use surveillance.

Know exactly what "invasion of privacy" involves.
Everyone deserves a right to privacy, make sure you are aware of what constitutes a violation of an individual's privacy. Crimes of this sort usually involve monitoring a bedroom, bathroom, changing room, locker room etc. 


Avoid using surveillance equipment that records audio.
Audio surveillance laws differ greatly from video laws. It is almost always illegal to eavesdrop or record conversations without the consent of one of the party involved in the conversation. This includes capturing conversations using transmitters or wireless transmitters, surveillance recorders and monitoring equipment. 


Stick to monitoring areas that are considered to be public.
As we are all aware, video surveillance is all around us. You'll see them in stores, banks, ATMs, parking lots and many other public places. This is due to the fact that individuals generally can not expect a reasonable right to privacy in these areas. If you can get the evidence you need by monitoring a public area this is your safest and surest way to stay within surveillance legalities and avoid any legal issues.

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