Smart doorbells and domestic CCTV

When setting up your smart doorbell or CCTV system, make sure it only captures images on your property—like your garden or driveway.

If it only records activity on your land, data protection laws won’t apply to you.

If your system records beyond your home’s boundaries—such as communal areas, public land, or the street—you’ll need to comply with UK data protection laws.

If your system captures images outside your home or garden, you must follow guidance from the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

This includes:

1.   Having a clear, justifiable reason for using the system.

2.   Explaining your reasons if asked by a neighbour or the ICO.

3.   Showing why recording images or voices outweighs the potential impact on other people’s privacy.

To meet ICO requirements, you’ll also need to:

• Put up signs stating that recording is taking place and why.
  
  
• Limit your recordings to what’s necessary—avoid capturing too much footage.
  
  
• Securely store the footage and ensure only authorised people can view it.
  
  
• Delete recordings regularly and keep footage only as long as needed.
  
  
• Document your system’s use—why it’s recording and how long footage is stored.
  
  
• Prevent misuse by household members or visitors.
  
  

When setting up your system, think about the most privacy-friendly options:

• Position cameras carefully to avoid capturing your neighbours’ property or shared/public spaces.

  
  

  Decide if recording is necessary—would a live feed be enough?

  
  

  Turn off sound recording if possible, as it’s very intrusive.

  
  Limit motion recording—many video doorbells can be set to record only when the doorbell is pressed.

By following these steps, you can protect people’s privacy while enjoying the benefits of your new technology.

If you have any questions around smart doorbells or domestic CCTV, then please send us a message through 'MyAccount'