Neighbour - Ring camera in communal flat corridor - allowed?

berkshireguy

Wonder if anyone is knowledgeable about this kind of thing. I live in a block of flats, and my neighbour has installed one of those Ring spy hole cameras that looks out onto the corridor. 

I don't have a problem with filming the corridor per se, but my door is at a right angle to theirs, and I know these Ring cameras have quite a wide range. I find it a bit creepy that someone can be filming me come in and out of my apartment, and potentially be filming inside when the door is open, etc. I don't suspect they're up to anything malicious. It just makes me a bit uncomfortable. So wanted to know my rights.

Here's what I've (sort of) figured out so far. But I'm not 100% sure, so if anyone could clarify, it would be appreciated.

• According to gov.uk, they have to inform people that they're doing it, and also put a sign up saying it's happening.
• If the camera is pointing at your front door, or can see in your door, then it may be a breach of the Human Rights Act as it breaches your privacy. But this seems to refer to a residential property, rather than a communal corridor, so I wonder if the same rules apply?

I'm also checking the lease to see if anything explicitly forbids it, whether it be cameras specifically, or putting anything on doors in the corridors. It's a new building, and there is CCTV everywhere. But not in the corridors, which makes me thing it's been decided not to for a reason.

Anyone have any ideas?

moneysavinghero

Amazon Ring doorbells have been in the news for catching fire - not great in a block of flats.

moneysavinghero

Under the Data Protection Act you have the right to request any images they hold of you. They must provide this to you and delete any images that they have of you if requested.

I guess you could request this every time you leave your flat - they probably would soon get bored of this and remove the door bell.

https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/domestic-cctv-systems-guidance-for-people-using-cctv/

davidmcn

Data Protection Act doesn't apply to private households, and the Human Rights Act is completely irrelevant as that only affects public authorities. I doubt you've got any legitimate complaint unless there's something unusual in the leases about it. I wouldn't regard communal corridors as being any more "private" than other communal areas, if there's no CCTV that's probably just because they thought it adequately covered elsewhere.

moneysavinghero

davidmcn said:

Data Protection Act doesn't apply to private households, and the Human Rights Act is completely irrelevant as that only affects public authorities. I doubt you've got any legitimate complaint unless there's something unusual in the leases about it. I wouldn't regard communal corridors as being any more "private" than other communal areas, if there's no CCTV that's probably just because they thought it adequately covered elsewhere.

The ICO have a different opinion to you.

theoretica

You could ask them to show you the image and then you would know what it showed rather than just wondering.

cymruchris

I can't imagine that they plan to sit at home all day watching you going in and out though, commenting on facebook that you've just been seen coming in with a very large Waitrose bag or something similar! (unless you have something to hide? Are you a part-time drug dealer?) They obviously want to be able to see who's by their door after they've let someone in through the communal entrance - and am pretty confident that they are not really interested in what pattern is on your wallpaper just inside your door. We all have different opinions - but as it's a communal area - I'd let them get on with it - get on with my everyday life, and not give it a second thought. Unless that is, you think they work for MI5, and the Russians are finally catching up with you. 

Slithery

Do Rings constantly record or only for a short period after they've been rung?

ElephantBoy57

It might only film when the doorbell is pressed, not a problem?

Wanderingpomm

I would be more concerned about the fact that ring sell that data to 3rd parties 
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/technology-51281476

pramsay13

I think you're being unreasonable. 
If there was a peep hole in the door or even a window into the corridor the neighbour could simply look out every time they heard your door and see you.
If you have any security issues, or a parcel dispute etc. this may well come in handy for you too.