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What are My Rights Against Video Surveillance?
Violated Privacy asks: "A video bugging device was recently discovered in the bathroom of the house I share with three others. After sharing this find with one of the housemates, I am sure whose camera it is. Needless to say, we're both rather upset over the matter. What are our legal rights in this matter? It's not the government doing it, but another private citizen with whom we willingly (until now...) share a house. Are there special considerations? (Yes, I should ask a lawyer. I plan on doing that tomorrow when I get a chance. The problem is, most lawyers aren't exactly experts in this area.) Has anyone on Slashdot done research into this field of privacy law?"
Any lawyer you speak to is far more likely to be an expert on it than some random guy on /. (apologies to the lawyers in the audience). And even if a lawyer isn't an expert, s/he is probably more than capable of finding the answers or pointing you in the right direction.
fuck you.
In most places I've heard of, invasion of privacy is a crime; there have been numerous news items about people (mostly men) being prosecuted for putting cameras in restrooms and changing rooms. So go to the cops first. At the very least you'll get a police report out of it.
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That leaves a criminal case, and fortunately you're not expected to do legal research before requesting one. If you want to go that route, call the police and have them and the local prosecutors decide what can be done.
What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
I don't understand why you wouldn't just beat the fuck out of the person for doing it? Whatever happened to direct justice/vengeance? You know, it's not a BAD THING to get your own justice when someone does something wrong to you. Fill up a pillow cases with bars of soap and everyone can have at the prick. Hey, maybe you can even videotape it!
A) $PERSON invaded your privacy
B) $PERSON caught you on $TAPE, $DOING what ever $YOU'vs where doing?
I don't claim I know more than I know, and if you know you know more than I know, then by all means, let me know.
Does their name appear on your lease? You may want to talk with a lawyer first, but if one of my housemates tried to pull any of that, I would likely change the locks and leave their possessions on the lawn for them to collect.
There are some things that you shouldn't tolerate. I believe that this is one of them...regardless of the legality of their actions.
As far as them releasing pictures of you on the can and in the shower, your rights vary from state to state (if you're in the US). Contact your state AG's office for details.
-Turkey
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
Set up a secret camera in his room to record the dork. When you catch the guy smoking pot or masturbating, send the video tape to his parents.
94% of Repubs and 21% of Dems voted to renew the Patriot Act
Why don't you confront the person face to face before unleashing some greedy lawyer onto the case? If the culprit's one of your housemates, I guess you can just talk it over... I mean, if the recordings were only done for private purposes and only involve adults, kicking the guy out and destroying the evidence sounds like a reasonable punishment.
:)
Of course, if it's your landlord doing it and selling/sharing the stuff among sickos, it's another story.
Just remember that not everything in life should be judged in court, dialogues can solve many things without getting to ruin one's life with punitive damages or jailing. Someone watched your butt, it's not the end of the world for Khtuhlu's sake! You'll save yourself a lot of stress that way and probably live longer
-- It's always darker before it goes pitch black.
heh heh
You could "forget about it" until you can invite someone under 18 over and have them use the bathroom.
Then "find" the camera... call the police, be sure ot tell them that a minor uysed the bathroom and was probably recorded... get him arrested for child porn.
Overall I like the idea of hitting his pocket... search and destroy! Leave no
evidence.
Better yet get compensation... have a friend sell them and keep the money
-Steve
"I opened my eyes, and everything went dark again"
If a minor goes into that room, it could become automatic child porn. I remember reading of a case of a hidden camera and the person who put it there LOL at the people upset about it. Until a 14 year old came forward and said they had changed clothes in that room. That gave the police all the probable cause they needed to confiscate everything and haul him away on a child porn charge. He now has to register as a sex offender.
If he did this, he *needs* to make sure that he doesn't tell anybody about the plan, else *he* could be in trouble for getting the minor on tape. Otherwise, wish I had mod points when I needed them!
Condemnant quod non intellegunt.
This is obviously a reverse astroturf (is there a real word for that?). This guy gets his product put on slashdot (better advertising that having it be a popunder on new york times as far as I can see) for free!
Way to go slashdot editors!
You are obviously NOT a police officer. First of all, I've never heard an officer refer to him/herself as a "cop." Secondly, your advice is complete BS. DO NOT EVER tamper with evidence!!! The second you start moving stuff around you've very likely destroyed whatever case the DA may have had, and you've certainly destroyed whatever civil case you may have had.
Call the police, follow their advice. Not some AC "cop" from slashdot.
I do not read or respond to AC's. If you want a discussion, log in. Otherwise, don't waste your time.
My concerns:
Meeting with the landlord and having him thrown out is probably the most expeditious way of dealing with this. If the roommate decides to make a stink, the landlord should start formal eviction proceedings against him, and call the local reactionary newspaper columnist with a great story on how hard it is to throw a dangerous roommate out of a house in order to protect the other tenants.
I freely acknowledge that you are under no obligation to do anything positive or helpful in your situation, and that under the law you have the right to be as destructive and punitive to this individual as you can get away with. There is a huge difference between having a right and doing the right thing.
This is not my sandwich.