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 ‘Nanny cam’ is the common term for video surveillance technology used to monitor domestic staff, maintenance workers, or hired caretakers when homeowners or parents are absent from the home. With these systems, inconspicuous wall cameras are placed in key locations in the home to capture and record activity for hours or days at a time. Many nanny cam systems allow users to view recorded activity in real-time on a smart phone or online.

Nanny cams are legal in all states; however, users need to be careful that they are not courting legal action by breaking any privacy laws. If you are thinking of installing a nanny cam system in your home, here are some steps you should follow to avoid unnecessary complications. 

1)      DO be transparent

If you are going to install a nanny cam system in your home or have already done so, then you should share this information with the people being monitored. As part of the hiring process, explain to the babysitter, live-in nurse, or housekeeping service personnel that the technology is in place to provide security for your home and everyone in it. By being transparent up-front you can maintain trust, avoid accusations of spying later down the road, and weed out unsavory employees.

2)      DON’T reveal camera locations

It is never advisable to reveal the location of cameras to house guests, including live-in staff. In fact, as a general rule, with the exception of trusted family members, no one should know the location of the cameras in your home. Do not tell young children where cameras are located since children can let this information slip inadvertently or when pressured. By keeping camera locations secret you can prevent them from being tampered with. Also, depending on where cameras are located, there may be ways to operate outside of surveillance zones; house guests who do not know camera locations are unable to find these possible loopholes in the surveillance system.

3)      DON’T invade privacy

Cameras should never be placed in toilets, guest rooms, or other areas where bodily privacy or communications privacy can be infringed upon. It is a good idea to have designated camera-free areas in the home (for example, the vestibule or powder room) where staff can take care of private matters (e.g. phone calls) if the need arises.

4)      DO double-check privacy laws

In some states, it is illegal to own or use audio listening devices; in other states people can use them provided that they have the consent of the individuals being recorded. Find out what the laws pertaining to audio surveillance are in your county, state, or jurisdiction and follow them.