My neighbour's camera films my home: what can I do?
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
First ask what the camera actually captures and request less intrusive settings. Security does not permit unlimited filming of your home or garden. GDPR and other privacy rules may apply beyond the private household sphere.
On this page
1. What does it capture?
Record position, direction, notices and filming times. Calmly ask for an explanation or to view the field of vision together. Privacy masks may exist, so appearance alone does not prove recording coverage. Do not damage or obstruct the camera; gather evidence without unnecessarily filming others.
2. Which privacy rules apply?
Purely personal or household use may fall outside GDPR. Surveillance extending to public space or neighbours does not automatically qualify. Legal basis, necessity, balancing of interests and information may then be required. A sign does not legalise unnecessary filming. A dummy camera processes no footage but can still raise other neighbour-law issues.
3. What adjustment should I ask for?
Request aiming at the owner's land, masking your windows/garden, time limits and disabling unnecessary audio or zoom. Consider less intrusive security. Filming beyond the boundary requires specific exceptional justification, not a general fear of burglary. Record arrangements and how they will be checked.
4. How long may footage remain?
Keep footage only as long as necessary. There is no general entitlement to store home footage for four weeks; deletion after a few days is often possible. Longer retention needs justification, such as relevant footage of a specific incident. Ask about retention, access and security and, where GDPR applies, access to your images or erasure where entitled.
5. What about sharing footage?
Online publication or further disclosure is separate processing requiring a legal basis; walking past is not consent. Providing relevant evidence to police differs from public posting. Save a screenshot/URL and ask the publisher and platform for removal. Do not redistribute footage yourself.
6. Where can I get help?
Request adjustment and reasons in writing. Consider voluntary neighbourhood mediation. Police may assist with intimidation or potentially criminal filming; approach the AP about GDPR violations without assuming an investigation. Obtain advice on court action and urgency. Privacy requests generally require a response within one month, with possible justified extension.
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Check facts and recipient. The requested response date is not automatically a statutory deadline; keep proof of sending.
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Can my neighbour always store footage for four weeks?
No. Necessity determines retention; four weeks is not a universal permitted default. Specific incident footage may need longer retention. Ask for the reason and chosen period.
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- Location, direction and times
- Explanation of actual coverage
- Masks and less intrusive options
- Retention and access
- Request, response and publication evidence
- Mediation, complaint and legal deadlines
Contact with a lawyer
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View the current application processSources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
EDPB · Video surveillance guidelines, §§2–3, 6–9 ↗Rijksoverheid · Regels cameratoezicht ↗Juridisch Loket · Camera buren ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.