Video surveillance, dashcam and doorbell camera: What is allowed

In short: Cameras may only film your own property and must respect others’ personality rights; limits apply to dashcams, doorbells and video surveillance, and notice signs are mandatory.

In more detail: A camera always means an interference with the personality rights of those filmed. Whoever installs one must have a legitimate reason, choose the mildest means and observe the GDPR. For purely personal use on your own property easements apply, public areas and neighbours must not be filmed. This is general information and not legal advice; laws change and individual cases can differ. For concrete problems counselling (consumer advice, lawyer, data protection authority) helps.

In Depth

Own property and house

• You may film your own property, but not neighbouring properties, pavements, streets or public areas recognisably.
• Doorbell cameras: the area in front of the door can capture passers-by or neighbours; alignment, area masking (privacy zones) and short storage time are important. Guests must be informed too.
• Dummies can also put people under surveillance pressure and are problematic in disputes.
• Tenants need the landlord’s permission for cameras in the hallway; neighbours have claims to cease and desist.
• Notice sign with controller and purpose; storage only briefly (as a rule 48 to 72 hours).

Dashcam

Permanent unprovoked filming of traffic violates data protection. Only short, event-related recordings are permitted (loop that is saved on an accident). Whether recordings are admitted as evidence in court is a case-by-case matter (Federal Court of Justice 2018: data protection violation, but often usable in accident disputes). Publication online is risky (fine, right to one’s own image).

Workplace, shops, public spaces

Businesses may film only with concrete reason and after proportionality (theft protection), with marking and information; employees must not be monitored permanently (co-determination of the works council). Public bodies are subject to their own laws. Covert recordings are permitted only in narrow exceptions.

If you are being filmed

You can demand access and erasure, confront the operator and complain to the data protection authority. In disputes with neighbours first talk, then mediation, in an emergency lawyer or court. Against unlawful cameras claims to cease and desist are possible. Good practice: data minimisation, short storage times, encrypted recordings and secure passwords (many cameras get hacked).

See also: Right to one’s own image, GDPR principles, Data subject rights, Smart TV and privacy