They tell you on the landing, almost in passing: "hey, your camera records me when I go out onto the terrace." And suddenly the doubt hits you — have I done something wrong? Can they report me for this?
Let's take it step by step, because the answer is almost never as dramatic as it seems.
First of all: breathe
There's probably no problem if...
Your camera points mainly at your door, your garden or your terrace, and only occasionally and incidentally captures a small part of a communal or passage area — like a bit of hallway, a fence or the edge of a shared courtyard. That's common and doesn't constitute a breach on its own.
The key is the camera's main purpose. If it's clearly aimed at protecting your space and what it captures of the neighbour is incidental, there's no underlying legal problem.
When it can be a real problem
Here you do need to act: if the camera directly frames the neighbour's window, terrace, garden or door — that is, if that's the main area it captures — then it can indeed be an intrusion into their privacy, regardless of the camera being installed on your property.
In these cases, the neighbour has the right to ask for the framing to be corrected, and if it isn't sorted, they can go as far as filing a complaint with the AEPD.
What to do if your neighbour mentions it
→ Check the camera's angle from the app. Often a small tilt adjustment is enough to leave the neighbour's area out without losing coverage of your space.
→ Talk to them first. In most cases, an adjustment and a calm explanation resolve the matter without it going further.
→ Use the privacy zone feature if your system has it. It lets you digitally "mask" a specific part of the image in the recording, without losing the rest of the field of view.
→ Document the change. A screenshot of the new framing serves as proof that you've corrected it.
Tip: Before installing a new camera, do a test for a day and check exactly what it captures from the app. It's much easier to adjust the angle on the first day than after a complaint arises.
In most cases, this kind of situation is resolved with a conversation and a small adjustment. The important thing is not to ignore it — framing corrected in time avoids misunderstandings with neighbours and legal problems later on.
If you're thinking of renewing your system or installing a new one, at Chollobar we help you set it up from day one so it covers what you need without causing this kind of friction:
→ Packs for the home — with assisted setup included.
→ Packs for bars and restaurants — complete surveillance for your premises.
→ Packs for shops and stores — protect your business from your phone. A well-configured system, with no surprises
We support you with the setup so your cameras protect your home without causing problems with your neighbours.
All included · No fees · Delivery across Spain.
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