Can I Install a Camera in my Mum's House so I Can Watch Her Remotely?

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Tu Nguyen

Active Member
25 May 2014
5
1
34
Hi,
with the technology nowsaday, anything is possible. My mum is living alone and she is 80 years old. I would like to install a camera in her lounge room so that I can watch her from a distance over the internet. This is simply to ensure that she is well and nothing else. But I don't want to let her know that.

Is that illegal?

Please advise.

Thanks,
Regards.
 

Tu Nguyen

Active Member
25 May 2014
5
1
34
Hi John,
This is just a general question for my situation. But I guess from your reply, different state, different country may have different law about it. I don't feel comfortable doing this but because Mum is living alone, I just want to do something so that I know she is well and I can't get my mine of this solution. another words, I can't find a better solution than this.
However, if it is illegal then of course i won't do it.

thanks for your reply.

Much appreciated!

Regards
 

John R

Well-Known Member
14 April 2014
689
174
2,394
Sydney
It is difficult to provide further information without knowing the state/territory of you and/or your mum.
That said, have you considered a monitored personal alarm for your mum?
 

Tu Nguyen

Active Member
25 May 2014
5
1
34
My mum is not living in Australia. The main reason is to monitor her health being, knowing she is well and healthy is what I am after when I can not be there with her 24/7.
Thanks
 

HarrietJ

Well-Known Member
24 April 2014
19
2
74
You will need to find out the laws of the country she lives in. Perhaps you should consider the ethical side of this? Perhaps a 2 way form of communication like Skype would be a more appropriate. I can't imagine there are a lot of countries that will condone setting up a spy cam in a persons home, regardless of the good intentions.
 

Tim W

Lawyer
LawConnect (LawTap) Verified
28 April 2014
4,913
820
2,894
Sydney
I will assume in this response that you are in NSW,
and that your mother is overseas (doesn't matter where).

You propose to install a camera (a "surveillance device") in her home,
without her knowledge and consent.
For one thing, you will need to know whether or not
that is an offence in the country where she lives.
Otherwise, you may find yourself with
some explaining to do, next time you visit.

Even if there is no law either way in the place where she lives,
if you operate it from, and/or watch it in, New South Wales,
then you have a problem.
I suggest that you will be committing an offence
under section 8 of the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 (NSW).

That section expressly prohibits the kind of thing you propose.
You claimed good intentions are pretty much irrelevant.

Similar law exists in other states.
 
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Tu Nguyen

Active Member
25 May 2014
5
1
34
thank you very much for your advise. as said before, if it is illegal and as you said it is, then I won't do it.