Video Doorbells

As well as improving the overall security of your home, Video Doorbells are a convenient way of communicating with visitors when you’re not around.

Whilst you’d be forgiven for thinking that Video Doorbells are much like traditional CCTV, there is one important difference in the design of these devices which differentiates them: their field of view.

Video Doorbells typically make use of what’s called a Fisheye Lens, which allows for a very-wide field of view. Unlike most traditional CCTV cameras, Video Doorbells that use these lenses can easily capture images of neighbouring properties on both sides of your home.

With many video doorbells also facing outwards towards a road, it is likely that properties on the opposite side of the road would be included in the camera’s field of view too, as well as passing cars and pedestrians.

OK, but how does this affect me?

If you operate CCTV Cameras or a Video Doorbell which capture images beyond your own property boundary, the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Data Protection Act (2018) applies to their use.

The images of people captured outside of your own property boundary are considered personal data, and as the person responsible for capturing and storing that data, you are considered a Data Controller.

Data Controllers have many legal responsibilities that must be observed, and members of the public whose personal data you hold have certain rights too.

In certain circumstances, members of the public have a right to request a copy of any footage that they appear within – and to request that it be deleted, too.