Unauthorised photography within my home and sharing of the photographs

[Changerofthename1]

I found out that a contractor has taken photographs of the inside of my home that I did not authorise, one of them has got my child in the corner I’m fucking furious about. Obviously it’s gone from one employees phone to another and then it’s been forwarded onto who is thinks is me but actually I’m using an email address that isn’t the one that he would have on my contract if that makes sense so I think he’s on thin ice with that.

This can’t be legal surely ?

So they're not going to do anything with it then, they just took the photo to prove they couldn't do the job and they've shown you it to explain their point. I still don't see the issue, sorry.

This all seems very excitable on the part of the OP. I don’t see the issue.

Im fucking livid someone took it upon themselves to take unauthorised photos of the inside of my house.

Why are you “fucking livid”?

Because i dont want people taking photos inside my house. And of my child

OK. But you’ll have to get over that to solve the problem of the breach of contract thing. The ‘unauthorised photography’ is a red herring that won’t help you.

So where were you?

Or did you leave your 2 year old in a room with the contractors?

They needed the photo as proof.
If they asked, presumably you would have said no so I understand why they'd take a pic and leave.

But they're in your home anyway, this doesn't make sense. I thought you were going to say that they took a photo of their work and put it up on social media, like an advert. They would be on dodgy ground to that but it sounds like the fitter took a photo to demonstrate why they couldn't lay the carpet or whatever, sent it to the office/boss who then sent it to you. That sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

Is this a safeguarding risk for you/your DC ? If so I can understand why you're upset. No advice but I hope you can get the pics deleted?

The 2 year old in front, contractors outside in the hallway, photo of hallway, 2 year old in corner of the shot. The point is that’s gone from at least one blokes phone to somewhere else to my email.

You shouldn't have had your child in the room that the contractor was going to work in anyway for safety reasons.

I get why youre upset, op, but I dont know the law on photography of minors without parental permission. Sounds like these people may have been somewhat insensitive.

Honestly calm down. It's a non issue

@Azandme exactly. This whole thing is overblown to get the OP out of a situation she no longer wants to be in for whatever reason.

This.

I'd be more concerned that your 2yo was left alone with a stranger

It most certainly would be allowed under GDPR - in the performance of a contract, to evidence their inability to complete the contract.

Unicorn1919 is correct. If they have a legal right to be in your home (which they did - you let them in to undertake the work), they can take photos. The fact your child appears in one of the photos complicates matters but, as the photo was not specifically of your child - they were photographing the room and your child happened to be there - it is unlikely to be a problem. If they intended to publish the photo then yes, that would be an issue. However, if they simply intend to show it to you and, if necessary, use it in court proceedings, there is unlikely to be any issue here.

They're not going to want to come back and complete the work, are they?

They didn't take a picture of your child. They took a photo of the intended work site or project, and your kid photobombed.

It's perfectly normal in the course of work for contractors to take photo for reasons like this, also sometimes if there is previous damage.

TBH I don't blame them for wanting photographic evidence if you're this liable to fly off the handle over such a minor thing. Do you think there's some sort of contractors paedophile ring for tradesmen interested in glimpses of presumably fully clothed children in the corner of rooms?

Also - they weren't taking a picture of your child specifically, they were taking a picture of the room and why they couldn't complete the work and the presence of your child was incidental. It's unlikely to be an issue in court if you take it there.

Is the contract actually with you, OP? Or are you in social housing, the housing association wanted to put in a new kitchen or something and you hadn’t prepared properly, and therefore the contractors need to prove to them, not you, that they couldn’t do the job? If so, it’s reasonable that they need proof.

Luckily I have text messages that confirm the other position/aspect of the dispute is incorrect. Fuck me for them to turn around and say here’s a photograph of your house that we took without your permission. I’m sorry I’m absolutely furious how dare they and if that is the legal position it makes me think twice about who will be coming in through the front door.

I can't blame them for taking a photo. They where probably facing not being paid for a days work they couldn't do.

They need evidence for their own protection.