04/11/2026
I wonder how many people with a video doorbell have actually checked what it's recording?
I was thinking about this recently because video doorbells have become so common. Almost every street seems to have a few now, and I can completely understand why people like them.
But something I think a lot of homeowners don't realise is that you could actually find yourself in trouble if your camera is recording your neighbours.
Under UK data protection law, if your camera captures footage beyond your own property, including a neighbour's garden, driveway or even the pavement, you have certain legal responsibilities.
It doesn't automatically mean you're breaking the law, but you do need to be careful about what you're recording.
Most video doorbells have privacy settings that let you block out areas you don't need to see. It's worth checking yours.
There's something else I always remind people of, too.
A video doorbell might show you who's at your front door, but it won't stop someone getting through it.
I've been a locksmith for over 30 years, and I still come across homes with expensive cameras but locks that could do with some attention.
Sometimes we get so caught up in the latest technology that we forget about the basics.
So I'm curious, if you've got a video doorbell, have you ever checked whether it's recording your neighbours' property?
Mark