Can door to door volunteers film you without consent ?

[Safetyworry]

I had to move and basically change everything after DV and other circumstances. I had door to door tory volunteers but one of them was holding her phone awkwardly as they spoke to me - I’m now worried do they ever film people ? Or do they have to ask if they are going to do that ?

I was expecting someone for an appt so wouldn’t have opened the door otherwise 😭

I don't think it's illegal, but I don't think they would do it either. There's a chance they were taking a photo of them at the door with you cropped out as I see a lot of those photos in the leaflets

Or maybe they were just on their phone and holding it in a weird pose

Did you ask? If you don't know for sure what made you think she was recording you?

No it took me by surprise and then I only thought after

Just as she was sort of holding it awkwardly

They probably would have asked wouldn’t they ?

I think they would have asked. I can't imagine a legit volunteer randomly recording people on their doorsteps.
Maybe I'm wrong..... follow Mooncup's advice below.

Email your local party and inform them that they must delete any footage they took of you immediately.

If they respond with it being for the protection of their canvassers, filming is absolutely not part of the recommendations for keeping themselves safe https://www.local.gov.uk/publications/seven-principles-safer-canvassing-guide-councillors-and-candidates

and the Labour Party tell their canvassers to end any door knocking conversation with “Thanks for your time, we may use your answers to help us campaign better. If you’re interested, you can find out about how we might use your data from the privacy page on the party website.”

So as your general location/outside of your home and your face could indeed be identifiable, you'd be in the right to inform the Tories that you do not give your consent to the use of any footage taken.

I think I’m just over cautious and over anxious I would assume they’d have asked I’m just so worried all the time as I’ve moved a long way and I don’t usually open the door unless I’m expecting someone but I was waiting for the new HV so just thought ones a probably her and an assistant

Maybe you can contact the local group, they will know which people they sent to which streets for canvassing. Then it should be easy for them to track down the two which were in your street and the party should make them delete it properly.

It doesn't seem right that it happened in the first place, as you were in your own home, not in public; they shouldn't have done it. Perhaps they need some guidelines from their supervisors around filming or photographing random people without consent at their home, too. I can't believe it would be legal for strangers to film or photograph people at the door anyways.

On top of that, it is also intrusive and impolite, which is probably not the best approach when you ask people to vote for you.

I know there is the reverse scenario about video doorbells, but that's not what happened here.

I can’t even be sure she was but she was just holding her phone awkwardly ? If that makes sense so I was worried

It's best to try to find out; try the local or regional party organization, they should be able to find the people, and if they filmed, ask for it to be deleted.
If they didn't film, then you will hear back, too. In your situation it is not over the top to ask for clarification.

@NeverDropYourMooncup I noticed just now that we crossposted; I was writing my first reply while you already had a more detailed answer.

They could have been recording themselves?

Could they have been using an app on there for tracking where they have canvassed? The party I canvas for does, it has the entire electoral register on it, and allows us to see who we have previously spoken with.
Tories round here don't seem to have anything similar, but they are all about 90 and don't appear to use any canvassing tools. Other areas might be more enlightened!

On public land you can film anything or anyone, but if they were on your property I don't think they could film or photograph you without permission. I'd be very surprised if they had.