“I ALWAYS feel like somebody’s watching me,” sang Rockwell in the 1980s hit of the same name.
He could very well have been singing about living in the same taman as this poster who queried whether it was legal for a neighbour to point a close circuit TV (CCTV) at his home entrance.
Actually, he was recounting his friend’s experience and said he believed there are restrictions on where you can install CCTVs as they could be used for nefarious purposes.
Tagging the Kajang MP, digital creaor Syed Akramovich (@SyedAkramin) said prior agreement of the neighbour was required if it was pointed their way.
The simple query was met with a number of responses, some of which indicate not everyone is enamoured with the installation of such spying devices.
Kawan saya mengadu jiran dia pasang CCTV menghadap rumahnya.
Adakah perbuatan ini salah? Setahu saya perlu dapatkan persetujuan, tak boleh rakam rumah jiran sesuka hati. CCTV ini boleh disalahguna untuk tujuan jahat.
Mohon pandangan @mpkajang, apa tindakan yang perlu diambil? pic.twitter.com/OQQT2ByeZq
— Roman Akramovich (@SyedAkramin) February 26, 2025
Quite a few believed that it is wrong for a CCTV to be pointed towards a neighbour’s abode.
With one stating that the neighbour was clearly behaving like a “peeping tom”.
A few backed it up with external sources which clearly stated that CCTVs cannot be used to spy on neighbours. Even if that is not the intention, it cannot be recording the neighbour’s movements 24/7.
According to one website, while there are no laws specifically protecting citizen’s rights to privacy, a neighbour can sue for CCTVs being a nuisance and invading one’s privacy.
One netizen shared that he, too, was being bugged by CCTVs triggered by motion sensors that would record his wife and children leaving the house each time. The residents’ association took no action, finally prompting the man to lodge a police report.
One commenter suggested using a jamming device to de-activate the CCTV.
While another stated that it appears that one neighbour is trying to find fault with another with the way the CCTV is positioned.
However, what caught one netizen’s attention was the shoddy wiring in the picture accompanying the post. He noted that any burglars would be laughing uncontrollably at their good fortune.
On the flip side, many also contended that there were benefits to this and that the person affected should not react negatively.
With one pointing out that this person would also have “positive” security benefits from having a CCTV pointed at his home entrance.
Another suggested installing two CCTVs in the rear, both facing each other at an angle for better security. This will prevent thieves from being able to just snip the wire individually undetected.
One commenter said he was minded to install CCTVs just to catch dirty litterers as a neighbouring shop had done the same, posting a notice that those caught littering would have their faces posted on the wall.
Whatever the reason, there is clear precedence stating that the installation of CCTVs cannot pose a nuisance to other residents.
Whether it is security concerns or otherwise, a person must be mindful of the effect such devices have on others. Learn to speak to your neighbours first before installing CCTVs for that could save both parties a whole lot of hassle.
A little bit of understanding goes a long way. – Feb 28, 2025
