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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Creepy camera in the house

141 replies

chnahingnameagain · 28/07/2021 02:38

At my in-laws house last week I noticed a camera in the main family room, I felt very uncomfortable once I noticed it as I didn't know if am being recorded, it was facing the direction am sitting.
For context, my sil, Bil (both are dh siblings) and mil live in the house along with sil's dd. Dd is 9 years old.
Upon seeing it I didn't ask mil anything as most likely she won't have a clue about it, sil and bil (will call him Pete) were not home.
At the moment my other Bil (will Call him Dave)and his family have come over to stay at mil house, we went over and I noticed the camera is turned on, it records everything on to a sd card, (I looked up the camera model and description)
I asked about the camera and was told it's to keep an eye on sil's dd, sil works from home, that's fine they want to use it as a nanny cam or whatever, but here is my aibu why is the camera left turned on when everyone else is around at the house, we've had quite a few family gatherings in the last two weeks, and just makes no sense to leave the camera on. Why not have it turned off? It's recording all our conversations, myself and daves wife were having a private convo, we forgot about the camera and at the time didn't know it's always turned on, we are both extremely annoyed that we were not informed about a camera being there and recording everything. When everyone is around it is a complete invasion of privacy to keep the camera on. There's just no need as dd isn't on her own and sil isn't working now.
From what Pete said, it seems the camera will remain turned on and that's that.
Pete has form for being nosey and going through other siblings private mssgs and emails, So I very much can see him playing back the footage to see what we spoke about, yes he has a lot of time on his hands!
On the day I noticed the camera, I had a new handbag, sil was working upstairs so I didn't see her, a few days later she asked me about that bag, I asked her has she seen the bag as I don't remember having the bag with me when I last saw her, her face froze and she stopped saying anything , I realised she must've viewed me in the camera with the handbag!

Do we have a right to be annoyed? Especially seen as they never informed us we are being recorded? Or it's their house and entitled to keep it on permanently?

OP posts:
Whoarethewho · 28/07/2021 07:52

I have CCTV in the house. If it makes people unwilling to visit then I aren't bothered. Actually they have solved a load of arguments particularly with my partner who claims they didn't do something or didn't say something and then accuses me of lying when I say they did.

PersonaNonGarter · 28/07/2021 07:54

Don’t visit again until they tell you you are not being recorded in any of the rooms.

Bitofachinwag · 28/07/2021 08:02

I wouldn't go there either.

bluelemming · 28/07/2021 08:02

@Whoarethewho

I have CCTV in the house. If it makes people unwilling to visit then I aren't bothered. Actually they have solved a load of arguments particularly with my partner who claims they didn't do something or didn't say something and then accuses me of lying when I say they did.
That sounds like a healthy relationship Confused
Bitofachinwag · 28/07/2021 08:05

@Shamoo

Are you sure that it actually records and is kept? We have a camera in our living room so we can check in on our dog if we are out, but the feed doesn’t save anywhere (you have to pay extra for a subscription to actually record it all and keep it).
You aren't saving it anywhere. If it's connected to the internet there's always a risk that someone else has hacked in to it and they could be recording.
Wheresmrpenguin · 28/07/2021 08:14

Oh hell no, this is too wierd. Id either not go again, or I'd go and say you want the camera turning off and make sure you can see it, with the light off or you'll be leaving. You can't just film someone like that, it's morally wrong.

Looubylou · 28/07/2021 08:33

I'd hate this too, I'd be more likely to accept if given prior warning. I find it odd MIL is just accepting this. Are there more in other rooms?

SirYawnsAlot · 28/07/2021 08:35

Throw a handkerchief over it the next time, if they make a fuss you know they're watching, but from the handbag comment, they are anyway. Say you don't feel confident talking infront of the camera and you'll go into the kitchen, if they put one in there then stop going around.
Also, why are they using a nanny cam a 9 year old? Do they leave her on her own?

vodkaredbullgirl · 28/07/2021 08:42

Yes creepy.

ChainJane · 28/07/2021 08:48

I don't see the issue, it's in a private home so is perfectly fine. I have more concerns about being recorded in public, I don't like the fact that people can trace my every movement the moment I step outside the front door. But inside, who cares?

WhoNeedsaManOfTheWorld · 28/07/2021 08:49

Whoarethewho
I'd rather just break up than need a camera to prove my partner is lying

CutePanda · 28/07/2021 09:04

I think it’s creepy that people have cameras inside their homes, unless it’s a baby monitor for a baby. Why do they need a video baby monitor for a 9 YEAR old? This is way too intrusive and creepy.

CutePanda · 28/07/2021 09:06

@Whoarethewho

I have CCTV in the house. If it makes people unwilling to visit then I aren't bothered. Actually they have solved a load of arguments particularly with my partner who claims they didn't do something or didn't say something and then accuses me of lying when I say they did.
This sounds like a really toxic relationship. Why do you feel the need to video record your DP?
WouldBeGood · 28/07/2021 09:07

Oh my god, @chnahingnameagain, YANBU! That’s so creepy.

I don’t think I’d go back there. Seriously weird. Spying on a nine year old is also just wrong.

purplesequins · 28/07/2021 09:11

I have relatives like that.
I just cover the camera first thing.
they use it after they had been burgled whilst being in the house on another floor. so understandable.

Longdistance · 28/07/2021 09:12

Was there not a way to unplug the thing? We have a camera at dms house to keep her safe. There’s been times when she hasn’t answered the phone or it’s been off the hook and we’ve had to go to her house in case she’s had a fall, so we put the camera in to check she’s ok. You can have a conversation over it too.

LunaAndHerMoonDragons · 28/07/2021 09:12

@girlmom21

I can't believe you haven't mentioned it to MIL.

Tell her - it's her home - imagine how she will feel!

Good point, MIL has a right to know, right now. I expect like most people she'd be very upset to know her privacy is being invaded that way. I don't think I'd ever feel completely comfortable in a place SIL or BIL live ever again, but at the very least that camera needs to be turned off when visitors are over and MIL needs to be told.
Helenluvsrob · 28/07/2021 09:13

Just go turn it to the wall 😂

MotionActivatedDog · 28/07/2021 09:15

What does your husband say about it.

Why does that matter?

Mulhollandmagoo · 28/07/2021 09:18

I think the rights and wrongs of it are irrelevant, if it makes you feel uncomfortable then you don't have to be in that position. Tell them you don't feel comfortable being there whilst the camera is on and you're happy to see them, but only outside of their home

TheLovelinessOfDemons · 28/07/2021 09:18

@MotionActivatedDog

What does your husband say about it.

Why does that matter?

It's his mum's house?
SprayedWithDettol · 28/07/2021 09:19

I would cover it up if I saw it - or pull the plug.

MotionActivatedDog · 28/07/2021 09:20

It's his mum's house?

Exactly. It’s not his. His mums opinion is what matters.

Binnaggy · 28/07/2021 09:21

This reply has been deleted

Withdrawn at the user's request

Googlewasmyidea1 · 28/07/2021 09:23

@Whoarethewho

I have CCTV in the house. If it makes people unwilling to visit then I aren't bothered. Actually they have solved a load of arguments particularly with my partner who claims they didn't do something or didn't say something and then accuses me of lying when I say they did.
Fucking hell, this is so wrong
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