Technology at home can be of great help to automate certain elements of the home and make their control easier and more comfortable. A good example of this is lighting, since thanks to the smart bulbs sold in Europe it is possible, for example, turn the light on and off or control its effects directly from your mobile.
This is just one type of device in the world of home automation, but there are many alternatives that can make the home smarter and safer. Here it is home surveillance cameras come into play. These connect to the home WiFi so we can stream everything that happens inside and monitor it when we are on vacation.
These types of cameras do not pose any issues in terms of privacy and security, however, Doorbells with cameras can be a problem. These cannot be placed anywhere, as they may violate the privacy rights of others, and in Europe there are a few things you should consider before installing one of these devices.
Can I put a camera?
Installing a doorbell with camera or video intercom at home can be a solution that helps many people see who is knocking at the door of their house without even having to approach it. This is a very useful device and it allows users to be more secure and know who is on the other side of the front door. Plus, it is a much more covert method than looking through the peephole.
However, there are cases where to place this device on the door of the house may be illegal. After all, in Europe we have quite comprehensive legislation on data protection. In this case, the aim is to ensure that the right of the person recording does not belong to the people who may appear in said recording.
In Europe it is possible to place a camera to record and monitor the spaces that enter the private property, as well as the entrance to the house and adjacent areas. This implies that the camera cannot be pointed towards the street and record, for example, the sidewalk in front of you. In this case, it must be placed in a high place where Aim only at the entrance of the house.
Exactly the same thing happens with video intercoms. Yes, right in front of us is a neighbor’s door, It will not be possible to place this video intercom. In fact, if this device is placed, all people who leave and enter the house opposite could be seen and recorded, in violation of the general data protection law.
And, depending on the camera angle, it could be used to monitor other people, so it’s a rule that makes a lot of sense. This is especially relevant in those Neighborhood communities in which one door is located opposite the other. In case the entrance to the house is located at the end of an empty corridor, a video intercom could be used, since only the image of the people who wish to enter the house in which it is going to be placed would be captured.
There are times when this type of device can be considered an exception, although this is usually decided at neighborhood community meetings. In any case, to avoid violating the LGPD, it may be a good alternative to use a camera instead of a doorbell, which should point only to the private property of the house.
Things to keep in mind
To facilitate the purchase and installation of this type of device in compliance with the legal framework, the data protection agency itself has a guide in which some guidelines are given that must be respected when install this type of cameras.
This guide states that as a general rule, “the capture of images for security purposes on public roads must be carried out by state security forces and bodies.” In other words, these are the only ones allowed to capture images public roads for safety purposes.
In addition, there are other spaces that, although they are within a private propertyDue to its conditions, the use of video surveillance could be disproportionate and illegal, such as in a bathroom, a locker room or in a changing room, if we are talking about the workplace.
It is worth noting that if you are planning to install cameras in a work area, the requirements are much higher than if it is a question of home surveillance. For example, if it is an office or a place where workers are located who are carrying out their work, it is imperative to report the presence of these cameras in advance, and In many cases, it will even be mandatory to put up a sign.
