| If you are planning to install a surveillance system in | | | | prosecute criminals. The two circumstances covert |
| your home or business it is wise to examine your | | | | observation is considered illegal are when the owner |
| states privacy laws and consider areas where you | | | | of the premises has not authorized observation, or the |
| may be in violation, which could result in hefty fines and | | | | recorded video/audio is used for illegal means. |
| or a jail sentence. It is unlawful to install covert or | | | | Privacy law and the use of hidden security cameras is |
| hidden security cameras in areas considered to be a | | | | currently an area of major controversy. This |
| private place. | | | | technology has improved rapidly over the last 10 years |
| United States privacy laws define a private place as | | | | and laws are still being developed to deal with its |
| somewhere one can be assume to be safe from | | | | implementation. Tools that were once only available to |
| unauthorized surveillance. This includes areas such as | | | | high end law enforcement and government spies can |
| locker rooms, changing stalls, bathrooms, bedrooms | | | | now be purchased by anyone. A fully functional |
| and hotel rooms. This means that you cannot install | | | | wireless security camera setup including transmitter, |
| hidden security cameras or listening devices in these | | | | receiver, or built in data storage can be purchased for |
| areas without prior written permission from the | | | | as little as $50. This double edged sword has allowed |
| individual. State laws regarding security cameras are | | | | individuals and business a sense of security previously |
| not uniform across the board. Only a small number of | | | | unattainable, but the easy installation of wireless |
| them have statutes regarding hidden camera | | | | security cameras has also given way to significant |
| installation. They are Alabama, Arkansas, California, | | | | abuses. Research has shown that even a large |
| Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, | | | | portion of lawful security cameras are regularly used |
| Minnesota, New Hampshire, South Dakota, and Utah. | | | | for voyeuristic purposes. |
| In most cases evidence gathered using hidden video | | | | Unfortunately they way it sits right now there is very |
| cameras will still be admissible in a court of law if a | | | | little that can be done to prevent people from installing |
| crime is committed whether permission was granted | | | | illegal spy camera. As a business or homeowner you |
| or not. While it may be illegal to install a security | | | | can keep yourself out of trouble by checking your |
| camera in a retail store dressing room, footage | | | | state laws or consulting a private investigator or |
| capturing shoplifters in these areas is still often used to | | | | lawyer about your security system setup. |