Gone are the days when only the rich and the famous could afford modern technological innovations. Nowadays, with all the advancements, a lot of the electronic gadgets have become more affordable and accessible to a wider market. Such is true with surveillance cameras, which can be bought anywhere at prices anyone can afford. The good side is that even owners of homes and small businesses can take advantage of having a way to check whether there are undesirable activities happening on their properties. However, it is to their best interest to have a full grasp of video surveillance laws. There are regulations that must be adhered to, to avoid legal liabilities.

Surveillance laws differ among states. Hence, it is imperative to check with a local attorney to determine whether your plan of installing a surveillance device is complying with the related rules. Laws can also differ depending on whether you are dealing with covert or overt business or home video surveillance so you should also identify where your target surveillance system would be classified under. Overt surveillance involves monitoring and or recording of people who have full awareness that there is a surveillance device being used. This is generally accepted in the United States with exception to its use in private areas like restrooms and lockers. Again, there may be differences in the regulations among states that it is a must to become informed.

Covert surveillance, on the other hand, involves surveillance of people without their knowledge about it. Many people and business operators have profited much from having hidden cameras that now serve as their extra eyes, looking after their loved ones and their assets. Most laws actually allow such surveillance systems, with or without consent of those involved. Thirteen of the United States, however, do not permit the use of video surveillance cameras in private places, unless it is authorized. These states consisting of Alabama, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, South Dakota and Utah mandate that photographing, recording or monitoring of private places be allowed only when the people under close observation have given their full consent about the surveillance. Maine and Michigan both consider this act as a felony but in Michigan, it can be punishable by a $2,000 fine and 2 or more years of imprisonment.