Housemate set camera up in house without our knowledge

[Raindrops2019]

Housemate set raspberry pi up in kitchen that recorded us without our knowledge. Pi has a camera on it. I am furious, rest of house indifferent. AIBU or are they?

It’s shocking and you are right to be very upset and angry.

Please report to the university as soon as you can do so safely. He needs to leans now this is unacceptable and probably illegal.

I agree with Nanno - based on what youve said, you objected reasonably to the very visible recording in the kitchen so hes now moved it to record the public path outside for his machine learning work - does that really impact you? Many smart doorbells do exactly the same. You also seem to be objecting to his plant watering system purely because its also done by "a machine"?

Hes not tried to put some kind of hidden camera in the bathroom or anything, right?

@Stormtreader I have no objection to the watering one. I mentioned it to show that he is working on tech projects.

I also think you are wrong to minimise this. He has a university room where he could set up all sorts of projects but knows, I am sure, that he would need to put a sign up saying people are being recorded or just wouldn’t get permission from his university. It is creepy and along with his belligerence over other matters makes him the difficult tenant, not me.

i would definitely be tempted to find out how to check if there is any other recording device anywhere.

it becomes the offence of voyeurism IF it looks like he is secretly filming for sexual gratification. As it stands it doesnt sound like it is so police wouldnt be able to help but you know what? id be bloody checking the bathroom.
i would also report it to the university and landlord and get whatever advice you can. i think its highly inappropriate.

Please report it to his supervisor, the Director of Graduate Studies in his (or your) department, and the welfare team. It might be that they have had other reports of inappropriate behaviour - perhaps he is also secretly filming in places on campus / in the department. Perhaps they know someone is but not who.

they Will take it seriously - this is not normal behaviour and show that there is a serious problem with him.

And if it makes things difficult for him with his scholarship, that is due to his actions not yours.

Would you like him to go back to his country as qualified PhD to teach at a University knowing that he can get away with this behaviour?

@Bebesidethesea. Thank you, I am going to go now and get organised.

Thank you all for your time. X

But did check all the communal rooms last night bye. Cannot see anything but will check with phone/infrared tonight when everyone is out.

I know it is a pain, and one extra load of hassle for you, but if you are anything like me, it will actually feel like a weight has lifted because you will no longer be giving him headspace.

You are awesome, and he doesn’t deserve to get any of your thought time

Wrong on so many levels. He has no need to actually record people other than himself. Universities have access to vast databases of footage he can use for his algorithms. He only needs to test on live footage later and should still be controlled in terms of environment before it is ready to test properly. Any research involving people needs to be reviewed by the ethics board.

He is either being creepy and controlling. Or he is lazy and has low emotional intelligence. 100% report him cause he sounds like the kind of person that won't listen unless it comes down in force.

If he is being creepy, check the house thoroughly for cameras. Including bathrooms. There are all kinds of creeps out there and they come in all shapes and sizes.

If you find anything, report it.

If you need to destroy any electronic equipment then salt water over things like raspberry pis or strong magnet over any storage.

Don't destroy anything if you are going through official channels.

I would flush the pi down the loo and look to move out

He didn’t ask your permission. Any research using human participation willing or otherwise requires ethical approval every single time. Contact his school or if you want to make a fuss, the Registrar.

Could you request access to "your" data under the data protection act. Also could you speak with people from the Information Commissioner Office (ICO). It Might kick him up the backside?