You may not think about it often, but surveillance cameras are everywhere these days. They're in your local convenience store, above the entryway of your apartment building, and even monitoring the entrance of your workplace. Cameras are so commonplace that some areas have even set up live streaming feeds on the internet for public viewing. However, this prevalence also means that there are a lot of regulations regarding their use. Depending on where you live, security cameras can come with a lot of strings attached. New York is one such state with strict laws governing surveillance camera usage and recording. If you plan to install security cameras at home or work, it’s important to understand what you can and cannot do under New York law. This will help you stay on the right side of the law and protect yourself from liability. In this post, we will explore the rules and regulations governing security cameras in New York. You can also learn how to secure your rights and protect yourself from potential security camera scams. Read on to learn more about security camera laws in New York and how they may affect you.
New York Security Camera Laws: What You Need to Know
New York security camera laws spell out a few important things. First, the law prohibits unauthorized recording. This means that you can’t secretly record other people using your security cameras. If you do record someone, the footage can only be used to protect your property or other legitimate interests. You can’t trick someone into recording themselves or secretly filming them in a private setting. You also can’t use the footage to defame the person you recorded. If you are recording someone, you must let them know that you’re recording them. You must also let them know that they are being recorded if you plan on using the footage for any other reason. Furthermore, you must notify people if you’ve recorded them. You can do this in one of two ways. You can post a notice in a visible location or send a written notice. The written notice should include the date, time, and place where the recording occurred. You’ll also want to make sure that any security cameras you install comply with voltage requirements. If a camera uses 120 volts of power, you’ll need a special permit from the state’s Public Service Commission.
Installing Security Cameras in NY: Is Written Consent Required?
While installing security cameras can be a helpful way to protect your home or business, you may need to get written consent before doing so. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that you get written consent before installing any type of security camera if it uses a wireless signal. This includes both indoor and outdoor security cameras. Security cameras that don’t use a wireless signal, such as a corded one, don’t require consent. But they may still be prohibited in your location, such as at your place of work. Depending on the type of security camera you have and its location, you may need to get written consent from your landlord or property manager, your tenant association, or the homeowner’s association for your neighborhood. If you install cameras on public property, you won’t need consent. However, if you install cameras on private property, written consent from the property owner is required. In addition, installing cameras on someone’s private property without consent may be considered unlawful surveillance. If you plan on installing cameras on private property, make sure to get the consent of the property owner. If you fail to get consent, you risk running afoul of the law. While you can ask a homeowner for consent, it may be best to simply inform them that you’ve installed cameras on their property.
Recording With Surveillance Cameras in NY: What’s Allowed?
As per New York security camera laws, you can record anything visible to the public from a location where you have a legal right to be. For example, if the sidewalk in front of your store leads to a public sidewalk, you can legally record that sidewalk with your security cameras. As long as you’re recording public spaces, you can record pretty much anything you want within that public space. This includes vehicles, pedestrians, and other people using public sidewalks and pathways. You can also record public parks and other public spaces where people have no reasonable expectation of privacy. Be sure to get permission before recording a private conversation if you intend to use it for any purpose other than documentation. If you are concerned about your privacy, you can take steps to protect yourself. You can change your phone settings so that your phone does not broadcast your location. You can also turn off your cellular data if you are concerned about being tracked via your phone. You can protect your computer by installing anti-virus software, updating your operating system, and using a VPN. You can also delete sensitive information from your computer to protect against hardware hacking.
Recording With Surveillance Cameras in NY: What’s Not Allowed?
You can’t use your security cameras to record people who have a reasonable expectation of privacy. For example, you would not be allowed to record people in their own homes or on their private property. You also have to be careful about the things you record within public view. You can’t record activities that people have a right to keep private. Things like medical information, sensitive financial information, and discussion of confidential business matters are all protected by the law. Recording people without their knowledge can have legal repercussions. If you’re using security cameras to record employees at work, you must have their consent. This means you can’t record doctors in hospitals, lawyers in law firms, or other people who have a legal right to privacy in their workplaces. And if you have recording equipment in public places where people have a reasonable expectation of privacy, you must blur out their faces or turn off the recording when they enter the space. This includes people inside their homes, people inside places of business that don’t have signs posted, and people inside cars, porches, or other private areas. If you record people in these places, you may be violating New York security camera laws. You should also avoid recording people in other places that are shielded from public view. For example, you cannot record people inside their homes through a window.
Conclusion
Installing security cameras can be a helpful way to protect your home or business. However, you must comply with New York security camera laws. The law prohibits unauthorized recording, requires written consent before installing security cameras on private property, and places restrictions on where you can record. Once you understand these rules, you can install security cameras in New York with confidence. When you’re shopping for cameras, look for high-quality resolution, a wide-angle lens, and IR LEDs. IR LEDs provide night vision, so your cameras can record at any time of day. A wide-angle lens lets you capture a large view of your property so you can see everything at once. High-resolution cameras let you zoom in on important details when needed. Finally, look for an easy setup and installation process. Many security cameras are now plug and play, eliminating the need for technical know-how. Once you’ve installed your cameras, test their capabilities and make sure they have the range and resolution you need.
