Creepy neighbour

tecknika

I've an apartment in the city and have a neighbour in another apartment who has set up a camera to monitor the comings and goings. The one I can see has been set up on a wall that isn't his and is aimed at the most local carpark spaces by the entrance (which he is obsessed with parking in) and the communal bin shed.

Thing is anything that anyone takes to the bins is clearly being watched by him live as he goes to the curtain and if any of the spaces outside his door are taken then as soon as anyone comes down to their car he is up like a shot and waiting to claim it even before you have reversed out.

I find the whole thing very creepy that someone would be sitting and watching in real time all the comings and goings from our development even though he doesn't work there.

I must note that his place also looks into the garden area on mine and a few other families from all sides so maybe he has more cameras. He works for one of the well known global security companies so has all the equipment set up for his voyeurism.
What would the board here do in such a situation?

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Creepy. But if he's not causing any harm or there is no evidence of privacy invasion, I'd just ignore him but give a big wave/thumbs up/finger every time I was on camera.

sf80

As far as I am aware that's illegal. Report it to the data protection commissioner.
Here's some of their info about it: https://www.dataprotection.ie/docs/Data-Protection-CCTV/m/242.htm ;
e.g. "Cameras placed so as to record external areas should be positioned in such a way as to prevent or minimise recording of passers-by or of another person's private property."

Fr_Dougal

You seem to know a lot about him...who's the voyeur?

tecknika

sf80 wrote: »

As far as I am aware that's illegal. Report it to the data protection commissioner.
Here's some of their info about it: https://www.dataprotection.ie/docs/Data-Protection-CCTV/m/242.htm 
e.g. "Cameras placed so as to record external areas should be positioned in such a way as to prevent or minimise recording of passers-by or of another person's private property."

Thought so. The large one records every time myself/family or my neighbors come and go from our homes and each time we even remove waste. It also covers all the kids who play at the end of the cul-de-sac which didn't seen right at all.

tecknika

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

You seem to know a lot about him...who's the voyeur?

The neighbors all mention his behavior and OCD. If his favourite carpark space comes free at 3am he is out the door before you reverse in his car four spaces down to move it in.

If is extreme to a whole new level.

sf80

In the interest of fairness, you've called them creepy and said hey have OCD - this would be questionable in Ireland under the defamation act. Don't identify them.
Try to understand that they might have been the victim of crime and this might be their way of dealing with it.

tecknika

Under this principle, this Office would expect that a data controller would have carried out detailed assessments as to how the use of such equipment meets with these requirements and would have the following steps carried out and documented:

A Risk Assessment
A Privacy Impact Assessment
A Specific Data Protection policy drawn up for use of the devices in a limited and defined set of circumstances only (this policy should include documented data retention and disposal policy for the footage)
Documentary evidence of previous incidents giving rise to security/health and safety concerns
Clear signage indicating image recording in operation.


I might go and demand this later

tecknika

sf80 wrote: »

In the interest of fairness, you've called them creepy and said hey have OCD - this would be questionable in Ireland under the defamation act. Don't identify them.
Try to understand that they might have been the victim of crime and this might be their way of dealing with it.

I find it Creepy

I don't like my kids playing games in view of his cameras.
OCD, fair enough but a few neighbours have commented on the behaviour.

myshirt

100% illegal

SEPT 23 1989

Sounds like a dealer who is using the security job story as a front

sf80

The data protection commissioner expects some reasonable discussion to take place before they need to take action. I'm not sure how this works in a private setting, but you'll have a less stressful time if you try to approach them amicably with a clear mind. Express your concerns calmly rather than via demand and threats. 
You will have a stronger case if you are calm and reasonable and receive anger in ressponse

jamesbere

People like this need to get a life.

sf80

tecknika wrote: »

sf80 wrote: »

In the interest of fairness, you've called them creepy and said hey have OCD - this would be questionable in Ireland under the defamation act. Don't identify them.
Try to understand that they might have been the victim of crime and this might be their way of dealing with it.

I find it Creepy

I don't like my kids playing games in view of his cameras.
OCD, fair enough but a few neighbours have commented on the behaviour.

I understand that, but putting it in print, if the person is identifiable somehow and it is untrue, is illegal in Ireland. 
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2009/act/31
Also, be careful about insulting gods in Ireland since we have that other silly act

tecknika

sf80 wrote: »

I understand that, but putting it in print, if the person is identifiable somehow and it is untrue, is illegal in Ireland. 
http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2009/act/31
Also, be careful about insulting gods in Ireland since we have that other silly act

I am entitled to find being recorded by a neighbour creepy. So stop being ridiculous.

As for the blasphemy law. We all seen how embarrassing that was with the Stephen Fry case for the state. I have science and objections to a clearly written text on my side.

As for saying someone may have OCD...

Joeseph Balls

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

Sounds like a dealer who is using the security job story as a front

Easy there Jessica Fletcher

sf80

I'm just trying to point you to some useful information and things you might want to consider. You are entitled to consider that to be ridiculous.

tecknika

sf80 wrote: »

I'm just trying to point you to some useful information and things you might want to consider. You are entitled to consider that to be ridiculous.

Under this principle, this Office would expect that a data controller would have carried out detailed assessments as to how the use of such equipment meets with these requirements and would have the following steps carried out and documented:

A Risk Assessment
A Privacy Impact Assessment
A Specific Data Protection policy drawn up for use of the devices in a limited and defined set of circumstances only (this policy should include documented data retention and disposal policy for the footage)
Documentary evidence of previous incidents giving rise to security/health and safety concerns
Clear signage indicating image recording in operation.


THIS WAS USEFUL

SmartinMartin

I would take great pleasure in ballying up and spraying his lenses black.

ToddyDoody

Is there a residents association you could bring it to?

mikeybrennan

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

You seem to know a lot about him...who's the voyeur?

Your daddy

Beyondgone

Mint.
I wish I had a neighbour like that. You'd save a fortune on alarms and stuff. He's better than having a security guard.

tecknika

ToddyDoody wrote: »

Is there a residents association you could bring it to?

Think he is on it. Might talk to a solicitor and see if they could write to him on my behalf if they agree it has solid basis. I will do a detail of the situation tonight.

AnneFrank

It's odd behaviour, but not dangerous, not sure you can do anything tbh

tecknika

AnneFrank wrote: »

It's odd behaviour, but not dangerous, not sure you can do anything tbh

I will not let my children play in the front of the house due to being filmed all the time by someone who is clearly sitting and watching in real time. I find it creepy.

greencap

So the guy has a bit of the ol ocd.
Some close doors, some wash their hands.

Let him have his feckin space.

Maybe park a tiny dumb n dumber scooter in the sacred space and record what happens.

Yourself isit

sf80 wrote: »

In the interest of fairness, you've called them creepy and said hey have OCD - this would be questionable in Ireland under the defamation act. Don't identify them.
Try to understand that they might have been the victim of crime and this might be their way of dealing with it.

You can't defame somebody who isn't named.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

tecknika wrote: »

I will not let my children play in the front of the house due to being filmed all the time by someone who is clearly sitting and watching in real time. I find it creepy.

So, he's there all day and still watching at 3am????

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

Yourself isit wrote: »

You can't defame somebody who isn't named.

Read what he said first i.e be careful not to identify the person or location.

gctest50

With all the nice weather you should have a party for the kids

With lasers

Need to be careful with them though

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

gctest50 wrote: »

With all the nice weather you should have a party for the kids

With lasers

Need to be careful with them though

Nice. Advocating criminal damage. Good one.

RustyNut

tecknika wrote: »

Under this principle, this Office would expect that a data controller would have carried out detailed assessments as to how the use of such equipment meets with these requirements and would have the following steps carried out and documented:

A Risk Assessment
A Privacy Impact Assessment
A Specific Data Protection policy drawn up for use of the devices in a limited and defined set of circumstances only (this policy should include documented data retention and disposal policy for the footage)
Documentary evidence of previous incidents giving rise to security/health and safety concerns
Clear signage indicating image recording in operation.


I might go and demand this later

I don't think the Data Protection Act applies to private individuals unless they work from home.




Domestic use of CCTV systems.

The processing of personal data kept by an individual and concerned solely with the management of his/her personal, family or household affairs or kept by an individual for recreational purposes is exempt from the provisions of the Acts. This exemption would generally apply to the use of CCTVs in a domestic environment. However, the exemption may not apply if the occupant works from home. [ Where the exemption does apply, a person who objects to the use of a CCTV system - for example, a neighbour who objects to images of her/his property being recorded - may be able to take a civil legal action based on the Constitutional and Common Law right to privacy.] It should be noted that recording of a public space, even partially, or when recording is directed outwards from the private setting, it may not be regarded as a ?personal or household? activity for the purposes of the Data Protection Acts, and this may have immediate and particular interest to drone operators and data controllers.

CB19Kevo

Cant really say i would take issue with him recording a public space,If however he has a camera pointed towards private property i would take issue.
Maybe look at it as a positive,Could be very useful if there is a break or damage done to vehicles in the car park.
You do certainly have a right to privacy in your own home though.

tecknika

CB19Kevo wrote: »

Cant really say i would take issue with him recording a public space,If however he has a camera pointed towards private property i would take issue.
Maybe look at it as a positive,Could be very useful if there is a break or damage done to vehicles in the car park.
You do certainly have a right to privacy in your own home though.

not gonna accept it. I want it gone asap.

Mountainsandh

If his job is security guy, he probably thinks he's doing the residents a favour, keeping an eye on the place for free, and his perk is to get his favourite parking space. Again because it's his job, it might not have occurred to him private folks might want to keep their comings and goings private, and their children's too.

I would talk to him directly and put it to him that although the security aspect is great, you think there should be a discussion with all residents on how much of their privacy is effected, and how much they're willing to accept. And explain your personal unease.

tecknika

Mountainsandh wrote: »

If his job is security guy, he probably thinks he's doing the residents a favour, keeping an eye on the place for free, and his perk is to get his favourite parking space. Again because it's his job, it might not have occurred to him private folks might want to keep their comings and goings private, and their children's too.

I would talk to him directly and put it to him that although the security aspect is great, you think there should be a discussion with all residents on how much of their privacy is effected, and how much they're willing to accept. And explain your personal unease.

he doesn't answer his door. I rang twice and he knew it was me after i seen him in the window. I was just going about my business taking the rubbish out and found him watching me.

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

tecknika wrote: »

I was just going about my business taking the rubbish out and found him watching me.

You can see what he's watching? Cool!

Slydice

*opens thread*

*reads first line*

not me

grand

*leaves thread*

Vic_08

tecknika wrote: »

Under this principle, this Office would expect that a data controller would have carried out detailed assessments as to how the use of such equipment meets with these requirements and would have the following steps carried out and documented:

A Risk Assessment
A Privacy Impact Assessment
A Specific Data Protection policy drawn up for use of the devices in a limited and defined set of circumstances only (this policy should include documented data retention and disposal policy for the footage)
Documentary evidence of previous incidents giving rise to security/health and safety concerns
Clear signage indicating image recording in operation.


THIS WAS USEFUL

It seems like what you want to hear but it really isn't.

None of that is applicable to a private individual, only organisations or sole traders in specifically named roles.

Also there is no right to privacy in a public place, it is not illegal to record people in public. Your feeling of it being creepy is not relevant, nor is that some of the recordings may be of children.

tecknika

Zayden Thoughtless Omelette wrote: »

You can see what he's watching? Cool!

he goes to the curtain each time. if a car moves he is in the space right as you back out of it. anytime of day.

tecknika

Took the bins out the other night at 2am. waited till 2am to do it as it was the weekend.

BBDBB

Yeah, I saw that

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1

tecknika wrote: »

he goes to the curtain each time. if a car moves he is in the space right as you back out of it. anytime of day.

Cameras mustn't be catching much if he has to go to the curtains every time.

tecknika

Zayden Thoughtless Omelette wrote: »

Cameras mustn't be catching much if he has to go to the curtains every time.

there is blind spots. It catches a lot i guess. I dont know if from the otherside if he is looking into the neighbours homes but i am sure he could

Ultimate Seduction

tecknika wrote:

he doesn't answer his door. I rang twice and he knew it was me after i seen him in the window. I was just going about my business taking the rubbish out and found him watching me.

Why are you looking in his window?

How do you know what his occupation is?

freshpopcorn

jamesbere wrote: »

People like this need to get a life.

Who the thread starter or the guy with the camera?

tecknika

Ultimate Seduction wrote: »

Why are you looking in his window?

How do you know what his occupation is?

I am aware of the camera each time i take the bins out and see his sign written car there,

tecknika

freshpopcorn wrote: »

Who the thread starter or the guy with the camera?

The camera needs to go and yes the neighbours think it is him who is odd

freshpopcorn

tecknika wrote: »

The camera needs to go and yes the neighbours think it is him who is odd

From the amount you know about him, your a bit creepy yourself. You know his movements even without a camera.

tecknika

freshpopcorn wrote: »

From the amount you know about him, your a bit creepy yourself. You know his movements even without a camera.

by being aware that everytime we leave our house if his car is there. Stop being a pillock for the sake of it.

DoozerT6

freshpopcorn wrote: »

From the amount you know about him, your a bit creepy yourself. You know his movements even without a camera.

If it was a situation where the actions of one of your neighbours was making you uncomfortable, you'd probably make it your business to be aware of their movements, for your own sake.