Is it illegal to video record someone without their consent in India?

Is it illegal to video record someone without their consent in India?

If the subject is audible and visible, it is permissible to record them without their knowledge if they don’t have a legitimate expectation of privacy. However, it is prohibited to record someone without their consent in a private space like a toilet or changing room. Someone will undoubtedly record you without your permission when you are out in public. Security cameras are present in malls, stadiums, and office buildings. As you move around the walkways, you see people filming panorama videos. You might be caught on camera by news teams, vloggers, or parents who are shooting their children’s birthday parties in the park. Hence ICFix Service provides CCTV training courses in Chennai.

Capturing faces in public:

You must delete the audio and blur the faces of strangers if you plan to film someone’s face in public. Get people’s written consent before publishing their likeness in a magazine or newspaper. If it’s a president or celebrity, you can use their images as long as you don’t disparage them or tell lies about them because they are already public figures. You have to be very careful around the president and his family. The famous can easily sue you.

Capturing someone on camera inside your house:

With a hidden camera, you can secretly record someone in your own home. In many areas, it is now legal for parents to videotape nannies. In order to protect their safety while receiving care, family members can also keep track of the carers for elderly loved ones. Parents and guardians who work away from home are increasingly using nanny cameras because of this. Before installing a hidden camera or nanny cam in your house, it’s a good idea to do some research on them to make sure you are abiding by the regulations in your state.

It’s important to understand the difference between audio and video recording someone in public. We’ll delve more into these regulations in this article but they are far stricter in the US when it comes to audio surveillance. Most states prohibit the use of hidden cameras in situations where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. If your topic is a live-in carer, bathrooms and bedrooms may be included if they are a part of your household.

Recording in private spaces:

So, is it unlawful to record someone in a private setting? When you’re in a public space or on private property with permission, you are allowed to record both audio and video. This includes stores, parking lots, restaurants, churches, and any other commercial or business-related locations. Before recording, you must speak with the owner and request a pass. It’s definitely advisable to omit the faces in these places unless you specifically request their inclusion and your “talent” consent.

Although there is no federal or state law that forbids sound recording, many businesses may forbid it on private property. Always ask for permission before recording someone. However, businesses like Airbnb permit owners of short-term rentals to install recording devices like security cameras and baby monitors on the property. Even in cases where the devices are offline, the property listing needs to make this clear right away. Recording equipment is not permitted in personal spaces like toilets and bedrooms.

Recording police officers and other law enforcement personnel:

Even if they urge you to cease recording while law enforcement officials make an arrest on public grounds, you are still allowed to do so. According to the ACLU, police officers are not allowed to grab your phone or camera or demand that you show them recordings. Furthermore, they need a court order before they may ask you to erase any audio or video files. Depending on the jurisdiction, if you obstruct police enforcement, you might get in trouble.

I strongly recommend checking with the ICFix Service before enrolling in any courses. Contact: +91 81482 11211.