Am I allowed to install a surveillance camera on my property?
July 3, 2022 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Anna Fuchs
Dear lawyers,
My name is Artur Hinze and I have a question regarding the installation of a surveillance camera on my property. The background is as follows: There have been increasing incidents of vandalism and break-ins in our neighborhood recently. I am concerned about the safety of my property and my family, and am considering installing a surveillance camera on my property.
The current situation is that I have already installed some cameras in the exterior of my house, which only film my property and not the surrounding neighboring properties. I have read that there are legal restrictions regarding the installation of surveillance cameras, and I want to make sure that I am not violating any laws.
My specific question is therefore: Am I allowed to install a surveillance camera on my property that also films parts of the adjacent neighboring properties in order to ensure the safety of my property? Are there specific regulations or rules that I need to follow in order to act within the law?
I would appreciate a legal assessment and possible solutions so that I can ensure the safety of myself and my loved ones in the future without risking any legal consequences.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Artur Hinze
Dear Mr. Hinze,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the installation of a surveillance camera on your property. It is understandable that you are concerned about the security of your property and your family, especially in light of the increased incidents of vandalism and break-ins in your neighborhood. I will provide you with a legal assessment and possible solutions in the following.
In principle, it is allowed to install surveillance cameras on your own property to protect your belongings. You have the right to monitor your property and, if necessary, also film parts of the adjacent neighboring properties, as long as this is done in accordance with data protection laws and the privacy rights of the neighbors.
However, it is important to respect the privacy of your neighbors. This means that you should align the cameras in a way that they only film your own property and not the privacy of the neighbors. It is also advisable to put up signs indicating that video surveillance is taking place to inform the neighbors.
Furthermore, you should ensure that the recordings from the surveillance cameras are only used for the purpose you have mentioned, which is securing your property. Sharing or publishing the recordings is generally not allowed and can lead to legal consequences.
It is also important to mention that the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) imposes certain requirements on video surveillance. This includes the necessity of video surveillance, the storage and deletion of recordings, and informing the affected individuals about the surveillance. It is therefore recommended to familiarize yourself with data protection regulations and to comply with them accordingly.
In summary, the installation of a surveillance camera on your property is generally allowed as long as you respect the privacy of your neighbors, use the recordings only for security purposes, and comply with data protection regulations.
I hope that this legal assessment helps you and that you can ensure your security and that of your loved ones in the future without risking legal consequences.
Best regards,
Anna Fuchs
Attorney at Law
