Can Your CCTV Camera Record Your Neighbor’s Property? Know Your Privacy Rights

CCTV Cameras and Your Neighbor’s Privacy: What Property Owners Should Know

By CEBUFIRST Realty Ventures

Security cameras have become an important part of protecting homes, condominiums, commercial properties, and businesses. But while CCTV systems help prevent crime and protect property, property owners should also be mindful of the privacy rights of people around them.

A recent Philippine Supreme Court ruling highlighted an important principle: the right to privacy is not limited to the inside of a person’s home. Under Article 26(1) of the Civil Code, privacy may also be protected in places where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy, including certain business premises that are not open to the public.

Can Your CCTV Record Your Neighbor’s Property?

Simply having a CCTV camera on your own property does not necessarily give you unrestricted authority to record everything within its field of view.

The Supreme Court applied the “reasonable expectation of privacy” test in determining whether surveillance may constitute an unlawful intrusion. When a camera captures a substantial portion of another person’s private property or an area where that person reasonably expects privacy, the surveillance may raise privacy concerns.

What Should Property Owners Do?

If you are installing CCTV cameras at home or in a commercial property, consider the following:

• Point cameras primarily toward your own property.
• Avoid unnecessarily recording private areas belonging to your neighbors.
• Adjust the camera angle or privacy masking features when available.
• Inform household members, employees, tenants, or visitors when appropriate.
• Use CCTV footage only for legitimate security and property-protection purposes.
• Review your CCTV setup if a neighboring property is being substantially captured.

Security and Privacy Should Go Together

Being a responsible property owner means protecting your property while respecting the rights of others. Properly positioned CCTV cameras can provide valuable security without unnecessarily invading a neighbor’s private space.

For homeowners, landlords, property managers, and business owners, good security begins with good judgment. Before installing or repositioning surveillance cameras, consider not only what your camera can see, but also whether the people within its field of view have a reasonable expectation of privacy.

CEBUFIRST Realty Ventures reminds property owners: Protect your property. Respect your neighbor. Know your rights and responsibilities.

This article is for general information only and is not intended to constitute legal advice. For specific legal concerns regarding CCTV surveillance and privacy, consult a qualified Philippine lawyer.