Hidden-camera

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Hidden-camera Guide:
why, when, where? What is the gain? What are the risks?

Hidden-camera: why should one consider the bona fide use of a hidden surveillance camera? If and whenever there are good and acceptable reasons to use them for surveillance.

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People may consider a visible surveillance camera in a home objectionable and unacceptable.

An exposed surveillance camera is justified in a public place, and can be welcomed by all if contributing to a feeling of security. It is not, however, accepted indoors by people resenting the mere thought of suspicion, justified or not, on their behavior.

When can a Hidden-camera be used with confidence?
If there is no doubt that no breach of privacy is intended or probable, and when the need to know what happens can be justified for the security of children or of disabled people, or for general surveillance of the premises. Otherwise it can be considered illegal.

Where is the most natural place to use a Hidden-camera?
Inside or outside one's home. Installing a Hidden-camera in an office is questionable, unless there is a need to uncover recurring theft, because there is no justifiable need to conceal the surveillance, as it is considered legitimate.

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Which needs does it cover?
The user ideally wants to get reliable answers, without generating resentment, to get rid of doubts or worries. A Hidden-camera presence being concealed, it does not influence behavior, which remains natural and uncensured. It can be used for observing covertly a scene for security or surveillance.

What are the inherent benefits from such a Hidden-camera device?
The main benefit is peace of mind reached after either confirming or disproving a suspicion of unacceptable behavior of people hired to perform a duty in house.

What should one beware of?
Of the temptation to use a Hidden-camera to spy on unaware people in their privacy. It must not be used for breach of other people's privacy (i.e. tenants). This is inadmissible and illegal conduct to be absolutely avoided because indictable.

A surveillance Hidden-camera is obviously not visible to an occasional onlooker. It should not be considered, erroneously, absolutely invisible. On the contrary, if there is a suspect of clandestine use, it can be looked for, and found quite easily. See on Countermeasures the page on Counter Surveillance.

What is the gain? What the risk?
Persons seen from a covert, clandestine, furtive, discreet or candid camera are probably acting more naturally, displaying their true attitudes and intentions, without concealing them by pretending to perform natural and legitimate actions. Or keeping out of the field of view. Or obscuring the objective, to remain unseen.

Therefore by covertly viewing the people to be observed one can determine if they are behaving as expected, and if they are performing their dues with natural and legitimate actions or not.

That is why some hidden cameras are also called nanny cams. Caring parents who wish to avoid child abuse toward their babies, may intend to control the behavior of nannies or babysitters. Or to keep an eye on assistants in charge of catering for old people unable to defend themselves.

A Hidden-camera can be used to discover home or office theft, vandalism, illegal access to personal valuables, illegal or forbidden use of home facilities, actual presence or absence, unauthorized computer use or any other unwanted action.

See also our new page on Legal Issues

Family use?
Let us now consider also other possible uses for a Hidden-camera. Old wisdom has it, believe it or not, that ignorance is bliss. Classic tragedies are often based on nasty secrets suddenly revealed. Do not let technology decide on behalf of your own life or your family's. We wish to strongly dissuade from improper use of a Hidden-camera. You know what we mean.

A covert camera should not be implemented to resolve difficult family relationships. Other means like frank discussion, counseling or professional assistance are more suitable to bring about a successful outcome. Compromised situations in interpersonal relations can sometimes be mended, possibly with external help, if they are taken care of, the sooner the better.

Instead of installing a hidden camera, think in advance dispassionately, with logic, not overwhelmed by emotions, of all possible consequences. Innocent creatures may have to sustain pain, anguish and the burden of an impulsive decision, and be made to pay for someone else's pride and arrogance.

Is it worth it at all? If anybody already decided to break, he/she should assume full responsibility, and do it with elegance, with courage, openly, without looking for pretexts.

Not for identification
Covert cameras are designed to gather images and information which certain people would prefer sometimes to keep to themselves. Their use is more to reveal not allowed behavior of known people than to identify unknown criminals. Unfamiliar offenders are not the real target of these cameras, as generally they cannot guarantee adequate recording of needed identification traits.

A Hidden-camera also known as covert surveillance camera, can be disguised in almost any regular household object. Pinhole cameras, mirror cameras, smoke detector cameras, emergency light cameras, clock cameras, radio cameras, mirror cameras, phone cameras, miniature or mini and even picture cameras are available. Furthermore fully equipped tiny cameras on a card can be purchased, to be inserted by the user in any object presenting a small peeping hole.

Backup use
One might consider to use a Hidden-camera as a backup system, in case the visible system is suspected to fail in providing useful images or if it can be tampered with too easily. One may also design a combined system including a few outdoor cameras and one indoor Hidden-camera or two for increased coverage.

An unrelated advantage of a covert surveillance or Hidden-camera is that, being out of sight, it is less prone to be damaged, vandalized or disabled and put out of use. As it is not in view, the covert surveillance or Hidden-camera does not risk to be tampered with, the energy supply line is not going to be unplugged, the transmission lines are not going to be cut, the recorder will not be removed or damaged etc.

Illegal use of Surveillance Cameras
We wish to discourage firmly and absolutely any application of covert surveillance technology to questionable or outright forbidden situations. If uncertain please give up, it is probably not worth the risk. Being discovered for breach of privacy can be quite unpleasant and prosecutable. In case of doubt consult with your lawyer.

It should be stressed that covert surveillance may be licit or illicit depending on the use one makes of it. It will most probably be considered illegal by the courts if used to breach the privacy of somebody or to spy on perfectly legitimate but private behavior of unaware people. In this case it may also provide ground for prosecution, as in known cases of landlords that used hidden cameras to spy on their tenants.

Transmission and Peripherals
As explained in a separate page on transmission techniques, see Video Signal Transmission, also these mini cameras can be operated through cable or wireless. And motion detection devices can activate camera operation and recording, see Video Accessories. Most of the additional devices available can be used with a Hidden-camera, provided they are compatible with its technology.

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Covert Video Surveillance Cameras.

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Hidden-camera, seeing your home unseen. Why, when and where to implement. What to beware of, what for it is not to be used. Think of the consequences...