Spy Cameras and the Law – What You Need to Know

Adrian Mudd March 20, 2017

As a leading supplier of spy cameras, we have witnessed various situations of spy cameras fighting crimes and have seen sales soar in the last few years, particularly among those wanting to take matters into their own hands. They are commonly employed by businesses, government bodies and local authorities, but today these cameras are being purchased by vigilant homeowners looking to secure their premises and keep their family safe.

Stats show that your home is 300% less likely to be broken into if you install a surveillance device. Nowadays, spy cameras are a popular tool for collecting the evidence required to ensure a criminal is convicted.

But what does the law say about using security and spy cameras in the home and workplace? In this article, we explore the legalities of deploying spy cameras, in line with UK spy laws, to ensure that you do not cross lawful or ethical lines.

Reasons to Use a Spy Camera in the Home

First, it’s important to determine why it makes sense to purchase a spy camera for your home. For some, the reason behind installing a spy camera may be to identify a thief in the case of a break in. For others, there may be an issue of security, a restraining order or something else that makes a person feel unsafe in their home.

Perhaps you are thinking about setting up a nanny cam to monitor a child’s safety when they are in the care of a babysitter or childminder. These are one of the most common uses for spy cameras as they give a parent or carer peace of mind when they are unable to be present, either due to work or travel. If you are considering installing a nanny camera to keep a legal eye on your babysitter, you may find our blog ‘Spy Gadgets Are The New Nannies’ an interesting read.

Moreover, you may be considering purchasing a spy camera to protect elderly members of your family to ensure they are receiving appropriate care or that they are not in harm’s way. In such cases, setting up surveillance and CCTV is of great importance. At Spy Equipment UK, we have a fantastic collection of discreet spy equipment to monitor elderly people’s care. To learn more, you can also read about the importance of elderly monitoring devices in a recent blog.

Some people also employ the use of spy cameras to monitor cleaning staff or in-house employees to ensure they are not taking advantage, stealing, or conducting illicit behaviour whilst working at their property. With the use of our wifi spy cameras you can put your mind at ease, as they allow you to monitor what’s going on in your home remotely.

Spy Cameras and the Law

We should first point out that it is illegal to set up a hidden camera in any property or room where the individual would expect to have privacy. This may include bathrooms, changing rooms, locker rooms or swimming pools. An exception to the rule here may be when the person installing the spy camera has a parental responsibility.

Bedrooms are also considered an invasion of privacy – an exception to the rule here, however, may be when the person installing the spy camera has a parental responsibility for the room owner, or the room is shared by the camera owner (eg. with a partner). It is also illegal to hide a spy camera in someone else’s home.

While the use of hidden cameras is generally acceptable in common areas of the home, you may be at risk of breaching a person’s privacy and rights. To ensure you are acting lawfully, it’s best to further research the specific laws or speak to the spy camera experts. In our blog ‘Setting Up Surveillance – Advice And Laws’, we have provided more information about the legality of these cameras.

Human Rights Act 1998

Article 8 of the Human Rights Act 1998 states that each individual has the right to a family and private life – meaning respect must be shown for their home and correspondence. The Article also indicates that there must be some level of justification for any interference with personal privacy. State and public authorities are permitted to do so if the interference has obvious legal justification – i.e. when preventing a crime.

Gaining Evidence Using a Spy Camera

If you intend on using a hidden camera to capture evidence of suspect behaviour, such as combating nuisance neighbours with spy equipment or catching a cheating partner, it’s imperative that you do so in a way that complies with legal restrictions. Failure to do so may result in the evidence being unusable during a trial.

If you are using CCTV, the police may advise that the installation fully adheres to any legal restrictions that may render the evidence worthless. Householders should make sure they are aware of any consequences and use CCTV security with caution.

Choosing the Right Spy Camera

Why WiFi spy camera surveillance? At Spy Equipment UK, we supply WiFi cameras that are the best alternative to the once-popular 3G cameras. Our hidden cameras can be disguised as a variety of inconspicuous household items, for example:

Our hidden cameras are made using state-of-the-art technology to ensure you capture the best footage every time. Whatever your reason, we can supply the best product to suit your specific needs. Our covert surveillance solutions have the capability to transmit high-quality video images directly to your mobile, PC or laptop, and have the power to record in real time or be viewed historically, making them a popular choice among our customers.

Whether you’re looking for a covert spy camera hidden inside a household object, or perhaps a 4G outdoor camouflage camera to monitor the outside of your property, we will have a high-quality, reliable surveillance device to suit your circumstances. Moreover, many of our devices come with advanced features, such as motion detection, long battery life and night vision, to name a few. If you’re interested in purchasing one of our surveillance devices, be sure to read our guide to buying a spy camera.

Spy Equipment UK Can Help

If you are still unsure about the legal restrictions of using spy cameras or the installation of CCTV, contact us today for more advice and information. At Spy Equipment UK, we are experts in the industry and have years of experience in using hidden cameras.