Our expert-tested picks of the best security cameras and other smart home devices often include options with two-way audio and video storage capabilities. While these features are handy for quick conversations with delivery drivers or keeping an eye on your pets, recording and saving footage requires careful consideration of others’ privacy rights.
With package theft on the rise, it’s no wonder homeowners are increasingly turning to security cameras. A recent CNET survey found that 41% of US adults plan to use doorbell or surveillance cameras to protect their packages. However, privacy laws strictly regulate what you can record of other people’s actions and conversations. Security camera owners need to understand what legal boundaries exist before saving footage of friends, babysitters, pet sitters and others. Breaking these privacy laws could result in serious penalties, from fines to potential lawsuits. Here’s what you need to know to record audio and video legally while keeping your home secure.
Read more: Want Better Home Security? Never Put Your Cameras in These Spots
Public vs. private surveillance
Common sense about privacy can keep you out of a lot of trouble.
First, let’s talk about the most important rule when recording video (anywhere). The standard that the courts have widely adopted is called the “reasonable expectation of privacy” and it’s very, very important.
You can generally set up security cams in your home as you please, but you can’t interfere with someone’s reasonable expectation of privacy. In practice, that comes down to how people tend to use rooms. Surveilling living rooms, entryways, kitchens or dining rooms is fine because those rooms are more “public” spots used by everyone in the house and are generally highly visible.
However, setting up a cam to record video in a bedroom, bathroom or changing room is usually considered illegal without explicit consent, even in your own home. People expect a higher level of privacy in these areas and the law agrees. Minor/dependent limitations also apply: Parents can monitor their baby’s bedroom, for example. But when in doubt, apply the rule of a reasonable expectation of privacy. If you do need cams in more private areas, consider disabling them when guests are over.
The expectation of privacy is even more important if neighbors are pointing security cameras at you. No one can film you without your permission on private property, like filming your backyard or through your windows.
One vs. two-party consent
Audio privacy laws are particularly strict if you want to save camera audio conversations.
Now let’s turn to the big rule in audio recording, which is your local consent laws. Because of the Federal Wiretap Act and similar legislation, states are divided into one-party and two-party/all-party consent laws. In a one-party consent state such as Colorado, Tennessee or Texas, one side of the conversation needs to give consent to be recorded, which makes it legal to record telephone calls you are part of and (in theory) two-way audio conversations you have through a camera.
In two-party consent states such as California, Florida or Michigan, both or all sides need to give their consent to have their conservation recorded. It is never legal to record a conversation where no one is giving consent.
This consent is usually a verbal affirmation at the beginning of a call or a separate acknowledgement that consent was given. Justia has a guide breaking down the rules by individual state where you can find more information.
Four tips to record video in your home
Video recording is legal in your home as long as you respect privacy.
Let’s break down video capture, a primary goal of installing a security camera in your home. Today’s cameras use motion detection and frequently have video storage options to automatically save video clips — both to local storage and the cloud — when they see people. These steps will help you know what to do.
Step 1: Review your state laws
Laws about surveillance can vary by state, so if you want to stay safe you need to start by looking up the laws in your own state. State websites, local law firms and others will often summarize these laws for you to save time. Here’s a breakdown of California’s law as an example.
States may have specific laws about hiding security cameras, how you can use security camera recordings in court and if you need permits for specific kinds of security cameras. A few minutes of reading up can give you important parameters to follow. For example, the California law mentioned above has specific language about “intent to invade privacy” and intent to view “the body or undergarments” that can help clarify what’s not allowed.
Step 2: Follow the ‘reasonable expectation of privacy’
Don’t record video in any area where people expect privacy. Keep recordings focused on common areas such as entryways, porches and primary rooms.
Step 3: (For renters) Let the owner know about cameras
Property owners broadly have the right to install security cameras on their private property, including inside homes that they own. They don’t usually need a permit, either. If you aren’t the property owner, the law gets less comfortable with you recording video.
When renting, contact the owner of the property if you want to install a security camera and notify them, getting written permission if possible. Sometimes leases will have more specific information on who is in charge of security systems, while other leases have more leeway. Tenants usually have the right to install their own security cameras to watch over the personal space they’re legally renting. But letting the owner know can precent future issues.
Step 4: Notify guests about cameras, including short-term rentals
If you have guests over, hire a nanny or have a friend staying over for a couple of weeks, let them know that you have security cameras, no matter where they are. It’s polite and it avoids any chance you could be accused of hiding cameras and recording without consent.
Important note: Other regulations can apply in certain circumstances. The best example is Airbnb, which in March 2024 banned all use of indoor security cameras (video doorbells, etc. should still be fine) by Airbnb hosts. Previously, Airbnb had allowed the use of indoor cams in some regions as long as guests were notified. The rules changed — which is why it’s important to look up the details if you aren’t sure about the law.
Four tips to record audio in your home
Apps often offer ways to record or disable audio.
Audio recording is a different beast than video recording: It has more legal implications and is traditionally used often as evidence in courts. When audio is involved, people have extra protections. Our rules will help you stay within the bounds of the law.
Step 1: Review your state laws (but even closer this time)
Find out if your state is a one-party or two-party consent state and check if it has any specific language about recording audio, wiretapping and similar situations.
Step 2: Exercise caution if your cam can record audio
Camera apps often allow you to record audio — if you have a Ring Protect plan, for example, you can usually record and download video and audio from a Ring doorbell, then keep it or share it with others. Eufy also gives you the option to record audio when a video is recorded.
But recording audio without consent risks crossing an audio law red line, even if it’s automatic. It’s often up to users to go into apps and disable audio functions for legal safety. Even if a home cam theoretically saved incriminating audio, it might not be usable in court and could lead to countersuits or other problems.
Step 3: Get or give consent for any recording
If you really want to record audio, find a device that can do it and make sure people are giving consent to be recorded. We suggest getting permission from both sides of a conversation even in one-party consent states, just to stay safe and polite. That’s how phone interviews are conducted, for example.
Step 4: Avoid false pretenses when recording someone
Federal law prohibits recording conversations with criminal or malicious intent and many state laws confirm that with similar wording. Avoid any accidental appearance of blackmail or similar scheming. That includes any effort to try to trick someone into having a certain conversation or saying certain words, or pretending to be someone you aren’t while talking to another person.
What about outdoor security cameras?
Privacy laws apply to outdoor cams too, with a couple of extra considerations.
Outdoor security cameras are still on your property (or they should be) and they typically fall under the same laws as indoor cameras. As long as security cameras generally face public spots — the front of your home, sidewalks and streets — they fall well within the law. If you’re the owner, you have the right to film your backyard and other parts of your property, too.
However, you cannot film areas where other people have a reasonable expectation of privacy. That means you cannot film a neighbor’s backyard or angle a camera so that it can record through their windows. Many cameras have privacy zones and other tricks you can use to avoid even the appearance of spying on someone.
The same rules for audio also apply to outdoor cameras. You’ll need one-party or two-party consent to record conversations. Security companies skip that hassle by only allowing live audio. That’s why you can talk through your video doorbell, for instance, but can’t set it up to record conversations.
Finally, if you are renting, make sure to stop by our guide on the best security devices and tips if you’re living with roommates, which can create another set of headaches when people start encroaching on your personal space.
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