CCTV and Hidden Surveillance Camera Laws

The definition of a "private place" is one where a person may reasonably expect to be safe from unauthorized surveillance.

The laws of 13 states expressly prohibit the unauthorized installation or use of cameras in private places. In Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, South Dakota and Utah, installation or use of any device for photographing, observing or overhearing events or sounds in a private place without the permission of the people photographed or observed is against the law.

Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, South Dakota and Utah also prohibit trespassing on private property to conduct surveillance of people there. In most of these states, unauthorized installation or use of a hidden camera, or trespassing to install or use one, is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine. In Maine, the privacy violation is a felony. In Michigan, unauthorized installation or use of a hidden camera is a felony, punishable by a $2,000 fine and up to two years in prison.

Several states have laws prohibiting the use of hidden cameras in only certain circumstances, such as in locker rooms or restrooms, or for the purpose of viewing a person in a state of partial or full nudity.

NOTE: This page is intended to give you basic information regarding CCTV hidden camera laws. ESLI Surveillance advises you to consult and follow all Federal, State & Local Laws when installing any hidden camera.

While ESLI Surveillance makes every effort to stay abreast of current laws, it is ultimately the responsibility of the purchaser to determine and comply with all federal, state, local laws and regulations in regard to the purchase, possession and use.

Alabama	Video surveillance in a "private place" is prohibited. For instance, a hotel room would normally be considered private, but a hotel lobby would not.
Alaska	N/A
Arizona	N/A
Arkansas	The Arkansas statute prohibited in a private place without the permission of the people photographed or observed is against the law
California	Video recording of "confidential communications" is prohibited without consent.
Colorado	N/A
Connecticut	N/A
Delaware	Hidden cameras are prohibited without consent.
District of Columbia	N/A
Florida	N/A
Georgia	Consent of all parties is required for video recording and photography in private places.
Hawaii	Hidden cameras are prohibited without consent.
Idaho	N/A
Illinois	Silent video recording is not prohibited.
Indiana	N/A
Iowa	N/A
Kansas	Hidden cameras are prohibited without consent.
Kentucky	N/A
Louisiana	N/A
Maine	Hidden cameras are prohibited without consent.
Maryland	N/A
Massachusetts	N/A
Michigan	Hidden cameras in a private place are prohibited without consent.
Minnesota	Hidden cameras are prohibited in private places.
Mississippi	N/A
Missouri	N/A
Montana	N/A
Nebraska	N/A
Nevada	N/A
New Hampshire	Hidden cameras are prohibited without consent.
New Jersey	The statute does not prohibit hidden video recording.
New Mexico	N/A
New York	N/A
North Carolina	North Carolina does not have a specific law regarding hidden cameras in private places.
North Dakota	N/A
Ohio	N/A
Oklahoma	N/A
Oregon	N/A
Pennsylvania	N/A
Puerto Rico	N/A
Rhode Island	N/A
South Carolina	A Peeping Tom under the statute is a person who "peeps through windows, doors or other like places" on another's premises for the purpose of "spying upon or invading the privacy" of others or for "any other conduct of a similar nature that tends to invade the privacy of others.
South Dakota	Hidden cameras are prohibited without consent.
Tennessee	Tennessee's "Peeping Tom" statute forbids a person to "knowingly photograph or cause to be photographed" in a privet place
Texas	N/A
Utah	Hidden cameras are forbidden in private areas; violation is a misdemeanor.
Vermont	N/A
Virginia	N/A
Washington	Silent video recording is not prohibited.
West Virginia	N/A
Wisconsin	N/A
Wyoming	N/A

Ala. Code §§ 13A-11-31, 13A-11-32; Ark. Code § 5-16-101; Cal. Penal Code § 632 (see also People v. Gibbons, 215 Cal. App. 3d 1204 (Cal. Ct. App. 1989); but see Wilkins v. NBC, Inc., 71 Cal. App.4th 1066 (1999)); Del. Code Ann. tit. 11, §§ 1335, 1336; Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-60 to 16-11-64; Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 711-1111; Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-4001 (see also State v. Martin, 658 P.2d 1024 (Kan. 1983)); Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17-A § 511; Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 750.539d; Minn. Stat. § 609.746; N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 644:9; S.D. Codified Laws Ann. § 22-21-1; Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-401, 76-9-403, 76-9-702.7.

Ala. Code §§ 13A-11-31, 13A-11-32; Del. Code Ann. tit. 11, §§ 1335, 1336; Ga. Code Ann. § 16-11-60 to 16-11-64; Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 711-1111; Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-4001; Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17-A § 511; Mich. Comp. Laws Ann. § 750.539d; Minn. Stat. § 609.746; S.D. Codified Laws Ann. § 22-21-1; Utah Code Ann. § 76-9-402.

See, e.g., Kan. Stat. Ann. § 21-4001(a)(4); Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 17-A, § 511.

NOTE:

It is the responsibility of the buyer and not the ESLI Surveillance and its suppliers to ascertain and obey all applicable federal, state and local laws in regard to the possession and use of all products on this site. By placing an order the buyer represents that he/she is of legal age, and that the products will be used in a legal manner. ESLI Surveillance (EyeSpyL.I.) cannot assume any liability for the use of these products and recommend the buyer become familiar with the laws in their city, state, province, that regulates the use and possession of these products. Consult your local and state authority before ordering if you are in doubt.

Also see our "Stun Gun" Laws