A neighbour's camera or doorbell films your garden: your rights

A home camera or video doorbell is fine while it films only your own property. But as soon as it captures a neighbour's land, the pavement or a shared path, the regulator (the ICO) says data protection law applies (UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018).

What the camera owner must do

Under the ICO's guidance, whoever sets up such a camera should: have a clear reason for filming; capture no more than needed (use privacy zones where possible); let people know filming is happening (for example with a sign); store footage securely and delete it regularly; provide a copy of the footage to a person captured in it on request — usually within one month; and stop filming someone who objects, unless there is a strong reason to continue.

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What you can do if you are filmed

Talk or write to the neighbour: ask the reason, ask them to reposition the camera or turn on privacy zones. You can: request a copy of footage of you (a subject access request); ask for footage of you to be deleted; object to being filmed; and complain to the ICO. Know the limits: the ICO usually cannot force a camera to be removed or repositioned, retrieve footage for you, or take court action on your behalf.

If it turns into a dispute — start with a calm conversation, then mediation; for threats or harassment, the police; court as a last resort.