Tired of being watched all the time?
Security cameras can be a great way to keep an eye on your property.
But they can also be a great way for your neighbor to keep an eye on you and your property.
If you don’t want their cameras watching you every minute of every day, I’ve compiled different ways you can stop your neighbor’s security camera from gazing upon you, your family and your property.
These methods are all safe and legal. Remaining lawful is of the utmost priority. I made sure to include only ways that keep you on the right side of the law.
I also include advice for determining whether you neighbor might be veering into legal gray areas and what you can do if that is the case.
A Neighbor’s Security Camera Is Pointed At My House: Is This Legal?
Depending upon the state in which you live affects the legality of your neighbor’s actions. Some states allow a full auditory and visual recording to take place as long as the camera is positioned on their property.
However, other states do not allow audio recordings at all. Furthermore, some states do not allow recordings of other people’s homes at all.
Whether or not your neighbor’s actions are legal or not completely depend on where you live. We advise you to research the laws on surveillance cameras at home in your area.
Despite this, any clear and vivid picture created of the inside of your home due to the use of these cameras is illegal. At this point, legal action ought to be taken.
A Legal Grey Area
Like drones, security cameras are kind of grey area when it comes to the law. In many cases, laws haven’t kept up with technology so there often aren’t regulations about this kind of thing.
While there may be some general privacy laws, they may, or may not specifically mention security cameras pointing to other people’s property.
Can I Block The Neighbor’s Security Camera?
You can block your neighbor’s security camera from seeing your house given that you do not trespass on their property. You also shouldn’t tamper with their camera physically. Methods to legally stop your neighbor from ‘spying’ on you are featured below.
Talk To Your Neighbor
Prior to ‘taking action’ on a neighbor’s use of their camera, we recommend you simply speak to your neighbor about why they have it pointed near your house.
People may be using fake cameras to prevent criminals from breaking into their house in the first place. If this is the case, then there is no real issue with it pointing toward your house. If this is not the case, then politely request they turn it away from your house.
Find Out Why
Ask why it was pointed at your house in the first place. If for a specific reason, then you can explain their unjust suspicions of you using reason and while remaining friendly. Anger towards the neighbor may not encourage them to cooperate with your desires.
Hopefully speaking to your neighbor will lead them to move their camera away from your home. This may lead to the return of your desired privacy.
Possibly No Ill Intent
What you must remember is your neighbor may not be pointing their camera at your house with ill intent. They may not even know that it is pointed towards your house full stop. This should ease concerns you may have about them spying on you. Better yet, this could make them turn their camera away from your house automatically to avoid offence.
Here is a link to ways in which you can speak to your neighbor. You will learn about convincing them of your side of the issue and helping them to understand your problem.
Quick Tip: Be sure to keep a journal of contact with your neighbor regarding this matter. Make sure it includes the time and date, method of contact, and a summary of what was talked about.
Email or text messages are ideal in some ways because then you can have a clear record in case the matter proceeds to court.
Use A Well-Positioned LED Light
A well positioned LED light will render your neighbor’s security camera useless. You must know the exact location of your neighbor’s camera and point your LED light towards the lens of their camera.
We must say, this method only works in enclosed spaces and at night. If the area between their camera and your house is somewhat enclosed then this will work at all times. If your area is not enclosed then it will still provide you with privacy during the night.
Warning, your neighbor will know that the footage is being hindered once they check any of the footage. Keep this in mind when placing the light. We suggest this is done only after talking to the neighbor has not helped, because resorting to this method could come across as hostile by your neighbor, creating tension between you both.
Here are some of the best LED lights you can buy to take this course of action upon your neighbor’s security camera.
How To Block An Outdoor Security Camera: Plant Trees Or Build A Fence
If talking to your neighbor does not rectify the situation, you may consider taking some action within your own yard. In some cases, building a taller fence or planting some well-positioned trees may do the trick.
A little bit cheaper option may be a tarp.
Of course, it depends on how the cameras are pointed at your house so consider this option carefully before going through the work of doing these things!
Contact The Police Or A Lawyer
If and once your neighbor has a clear view of the interior of your home via one or many windows their action becomes a criminal offence.
We suggest at this point you seek legal help in dealing with the issue, especially if this voyeurism has continued since speaking to the neighbor about your experienced discomfort.
Approaching the police to help deal with the matter is a good idea as it is unlikely that your neighbor is going to continue to be stubborn on the use of their camera with a police officer.
Suing your neighbor may be your next option after they have refused to comply with your (polite) requests on multiple occasions, this is well within your rights and maybe your last choice when all other less hostile attempts at regaining your privacy have failed.
This news story picks up on the invasion of privacy involved with a neighbor’s use of a security camera and may be worth watching to see who else has been affected by this issue.
How To Block A Surveillance Camera: Use A Camera Jammer
These small devices disrupt both bluetooth signals as well as camera recording. There are a couple of hitches though. The first is that you must determine the frequency of the security camera.
The second is that you won’t really know if you’ve been successful because you’re unable to see the footage your neighbor is collecting.
Close The Curtains
We kind of hate having to recommend this option, but it’s sometimes the only alternative after these other ones have been tried. Determine which windows on your property the camera is pointing into. Then, buy some blackout curtains that are impossible to see through.
In order to feel safe, you may have to keep them closed at all times.
Point Cameras At Them
If you’ve taken the other steps on this list but have come to no resolution, then consider investing in your security cameras to point at your neighbor.
If they don’t appreciate the feeling of being spied on in their own home, they may be willing to move, or take down the ones pointing at your house.
Feeling Safe Again
We absolutely recommend you try as hard as you can to reason with and convince your neighbor before taking any ‘hard’ action against their doings. A friendly way to resolve any issue will always be the best way. But, we understand that some people do not adhere to this.
Once courteousness has failed and you do not feel safe or comfortable in your neighborhood take more serious measures to stop your neighbor. This includes something as serious as hiring a lawyer.
How To Block Neighbor’s Security Camera: Your Thoughts
What are your thoughts about people who invade your privacy with security cameras, and what can you do about it? Do you have any tips for how to block a security camera? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.
Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other people, like yourself who are concerned about privacy find this useful resource.
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