The internet is loaded with images and videos of private individuals who had been secretly filmed during sex. Most of the victim of secret naked films are not even aware that their intimate images have been uploaded to the internet. 

What are the laws on secretly filming someone during sex

Where can I use a hidden camera

What is the law about CCTV cameras 

Is it illegal to make sound recordings from CCTV

Can I share hidden camera and CCTV footage with a third party

Where can't I use a hidden camera

How do you remove spycam images and films from the internet

How can you check for a hidden spycam

What are the laws on operating a hidden camera whilst having sex with someone

The laws about operating a hidden camera can be confusing, knowing when operating a hidden camera is illegal is a mine field, but educating yourself on the strict rules, could stop you from being prosecuted for privacy invasions or Voyeurism and other criminal offences. Under UK Law, you are generally permitted to use spy cameras but only under certain conditions, for legitimate security reasons. Parts of the Data Protection Act and the Human Rights Act govern where you can and cannot use the spy cameras but it is legal to own one. Is a hidden camera illegal? No. Where a hidden camera is used, may be illegal, though. Creating intimate films of someone is illegal. It is a form of voyeurism and harassment. In a recent court case, a man who had filmed himself having sex with sex workers without their consent was convicted of voyeurism.

There is a presumption that the person who had been secretly filmed would not have given her consent to having sex if she knew that the act was being filmed. Therefore, anyone secretly filming themselves having sex, without the consent of the person they are having sex with, should be ready to face charges  as serious as rape, although no such charges have yet been brought in the UK relation to secret sex films.

Where can I use a hidden camera

Where you can use a hidden camera is important to know, as it can ensure that there aren't any laws that you are violating. This article explains where you can implement a security system or hidden camera in your home or business, inside or outside, for security and surveillance purposes. 

You cannot fit a hidden camera to any property that you do not own. You can fit a spy camera in your own home, property or business but not in an area which is deemed as an area where a level of privacy is expected, like a bathroom, toilet, swimming pool, jacuzzi, changing room or bedroom. Unless the action has been sanctioned by the police. In this case, the operator needs to make sure that it is known that there is a hidden camera in place. 

What is the law about CCTV cameras 

CCTV Cameras outside your property are for protection not spying. If you intend to fit a CCTV system on the outside of your property to capture any suspect behaviour, ensure that you look into the legalities. The reason for this is that if you haven't complied with the restrictions, any evidence that you have may not be used in court. You most definitely cannot have it pointed directly at someone else's property, to what is deemed as a private area like a bedroom, for instance, infringing on their right to privacy.

Is it illegal to make sound recordings from CCTV

It is illegal to make sound recordings, like conversations between people in public and on CCTV networks. All CCTV recordings in public must be registered with the Information Commissioner's Office. An accompanying sign must also be erected to let the public know that a camera is in use in your area.

Can I share hidden camera and CCTV footage with a third party

It is illegal to share hidden camera footage with a third party. Any footage recordings or still images gathered on CCTV or spy cameras cannot be uploaded, sold or livestreamed to the internet for entertainment. Any recordings cannot be shared without permission (unless the sharing is to the police as part of an investigation) of the people in the footage, as this would be a breach of the Data Protection Act. Footage has to be kept safe and should only be retained for as long as is reasonably needed, unless it is needed legally. 

So, in a nutshell, it is legal to own a spy camera to monitor, protect and keep an eye on say, babysitters, pet sitters and employees but not a hidden camera in a private area. It is legal to have a CCTV camera installed outside for security purposes only. 

Where can't I use a hidden camera

Generally speaking, it is illegal to operate a hidden camera in the following circumstances:

  • In a private area where privacy is expected
  • In someone else's property
  • For uploading any footage or livestreaming to the internet
  • For releasing images to the media
  • For any illegal or illegitimate reason
  • To share with any third party, unless it is the police
  • To record conversations between members of the public on CCTV

How do you remove spycam images and films from the internet

If you have been alerted to any hidden camera footage of yourself on the internet that you did not give permission to, our articles:hidden camera film removals and videos online removal will prove helpful. If you need any legal advice for footage removal off the internet or tech abuse, please give our internet lawyers at Cohen Davis a call - 0800-612-7211. We are here to help anyone with internet law and privacy concerns.  

How can you check for a hidden spycam

To spot a hidden camera if you have any doubts about your privacy and where you are staying, or just so that you can be armed with how to spot hidden cameras for the future, please see the bottom of our article on secretly filmed video removal