Security cameras are a great way to protect your property, but they can also violate your privacy if someone uses them against you without your permission. Since the invention of camera technology, there has been a huge level of advancement in this sector.

Though cameras started out as huge equipment’ just like the first generation of computers, they have so far continued to grow immensely in the past few years. The technology behind them keeps allowing for expansion, thereby letting the physical shape of cameras to keep getting smaller to allow concealing in any way possible.

With the innovation regarding the space they cover, one can easily disguise cameras and a plus side to this is that they get cheaper by the day. Literally, anyone can afford them now. But because they're cheap, most eCommerce stores have them on sale and anyone can easily make a purchase online and spy on every other existence around them.

Regarding the legal issues concerning hidden cameras, you most likely have heard all the scary stories, and so has all the Spycam manufacturers. With the scary stories come ideas to continue being creative in producing some of the most cleverly designed (and tiny) camera/DVR systems that can be disguised as anything.

And worse, you can be an unfortunate couple that gets to find out about hidden cameras being planted in hotel rooms and vacation rentals without a renter's knowledge. Or an employee who doesn't know he/she is being watched for more than 10 hours of work time each day.

With these stipulated concerns, let's look at the legal issues surrounding installing hidden cameras in a workplace or residential environment.

Dangers Of Installing A Hidden Camera

A British couple got the shock of their lives when they discovered a hidden spy camera in an Airbnb apartment they rented while on vacation in Toronto. Dougie Hamilton, 34, said that he found the camera concealed in a digital alarm clock that suspiciously faced the apartment's living room and open bedroom areas and this camera in question "can see everything."

Spy cameras have this feature where they can easily capture moments of motions happening in an entire apartment just being situated at a view of the whole house. As the Daily Record reports, the couple had only been in the rental for around 20 minutes when they spotted the creepy clock. Just like every other suspicious individual at first, Dougie shrugged off his suspicions but his instincts proved him right.

According to the report from the incident, they said "They didn't know if the owner had been watching them the whole time.” You can also be an innocent-minded individual but the clock facing where your bed was could be for something more sinister like a sex ring."

Generally speaking, it's totally legal to record surveillance video in the United States with a hidden camera in your home without the consent of the person you're recording. But before you place a hidden camera in your home, endeavor to research the laws within your state. This act will only help you to add an extra measure of security before embarking on this act.

When there’s no consent, that’s where employers run into risks. Technology is supposed to help employees be more productive at their jobs, thus increasing their competence. But employers can still provide that independence by giving employees the ability to turn the monitoring on and off in a protected space in the office, which helps deter feelings of invaded privacy.