In this day and age where nothing seems impervious to the powerfully invasive tendencies of technology, privacy is becoming a top concern even for the previously unconcerned.
While security is and should be a top concern for everyone, it can easily invade the bounds of privacy, and security cameras in literally every space can be a tad uncomfortable. Autonomy, not wrongdoing, is the issue. When camera streams map out your life even in settings where you expect privacy and autonomy, you lose freedom. That’s the issue.
While it is reasonable to expect cameras to record your every action in public, you should be entitled to decide if cameras on your property do so. Your neighbor can legally have security cameras, even ones that can capture you on your property if it’s in the camera’s field of vision, but you and your neighbor should consider some things.
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The outlook of your property
When you are outside on your driveway or your yard, anyone passing by can see you which means you do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy while on your front lawn.
Cameras angled towards your property will not be infringing on your right to privacy. If you cordon off your property to ensure cameras cannot record you on your property then it stands to reason that when they do, they will be infringing on your right to privacy.
Your neighbors’ cameras
Your neighbor’s camera may have high quality and zoom, allowing them to record you through your curtains. This is a problem, and you should be concerned. Since most people don’t know how smart their tech is, you should ask your neighbor if this is the case.
Your neighbor probably doesn’t know what their cameras can accomplish and might be ready to help you by installing a suburban-friendly security system.
What your neighbor can do to make you more comfortable
Within reason, your neighbor should be able to understand your hesitation at being recorded at all times as long as you are on your own property. Likely they would feel the same should the shoe be on the other foot. There are concessions they could make, to make your life easier.
- You could ask your neighbor to reposition their cameras to exclude your property from their field of view. As much as possible, your neighbor should be able to reposition their security cameras to allow you as much privacy as possible without creating blind spots that could become a vulnerability.
- Ask your neighbor to turn off motion sensors activated by activity on your property. This should prevent their cameras from locking on to you and your every move while you are within your property.
- Ask your neighbor to show you exactly what their cameras are recording. This will give you an idea of just how much you can tolerate and possibly even ease your concerns about being recorded by their cameras altogether
- If all else cannot ease your mind then you have the option to cordon off your property. Your neighbor has a legal right to install security cameras on their property even if they can record your own.
Installing a high fence or landscaping your yard to hide the camera’s field of vision will permanently eliminate the need to meddle with your neighbor’s security.
Why you do not want your neighbor recording you on your property
You’re right to be wary of recording. Security feeds are notoriously misinterpreted. If security camera evidence is needed, especially in court, your acts could be used against you convincingly.
Private matters as well could easily become fodder for scandal and in an age where real life has become material for entertainment, the last thing you want is to become infamous over incidents and issues that are no one’s business aside from you and your immediate family.
Lastly, just because the cameras are installed for your neighbor’s security does not mean they guarantee your own security. By having a detailed account of your comings and goings, a malevolent neighbor could use this vital information against you.
Why you want your neighbor recording you on your property
As with everything that has its demerits, there are merits to having your neighbor record you on your property.
You benefit from a security standpoint when your neighbor’s cameras are trained on your property. Just as they protect your neighbor, they protect you.
If anything were to happen on your property that shouldn’t, then your neighbor’s security feeds will give law enforcement a great place to start their investigation.
This of course requires that you know your neighbor and have a sense of their intent with the cameras. If they are personable folks you can be certain their new security system is an advantage for you.
Finally
Security cameras like most things are a tool that can be used to protect or to cause harm. In itself, the camera does not guarantee security or a lack thereof.
It is critical that you have fairly good knowledge of who your neighbors are because the presence or absence of security cameras is not the only way a neighbor can be a blessing or a problem.
If you are certain that your neighbor’s intentions with their security are nefarious, consult law enforcement as early on as possible.
So that’s it on, “Can my neighbor record me on my property?”
