In the Netherlands, there are now over 1.2 million smart doorbells. A smart doorbell can be very handy. You can see who is at the door and talk to your visitors, even when you are not home. However, a smart doorbell can also cause discomfort. Therefore, stick to the rules. This way, you protect your own privacy and that of your neighbors.
A smart doorbell is a doorbell with a camera and sound. This way, you can see and hear who is on the sidewalk without opening the door. That can be convenient, but it can also cause discomfort. Passersby or neighbors may not always appreciate being filmed. There are rules for using a doorbell properly, but they are not always known.
How to Prevent Disturbance
There are legal rules that apply to everyone who has a smart doorbell:
- Only film your own property, not your neighbors or the street.
- Do not share recorded images and sounds with others.
With these tips, you can use a smart doorbell pleasantly:
- Turn on your privacy settings. This way, you protect the privacy of yourself and others. Check the manual of your doorbell for this.
- Be considerate of your neighbors. Let them know that you are using a smart doorbell.
- Delete images as soon as they are no longer needed. Keep them for as short a time as possible, for example, 24 hours.
- Hang a sign or sticker by the door so that visitors know there is a smart doorbell.
If Your Neighbors Have a Smart Doorbell
Do you want to know if your neighbors are considering your privacy? Talk about it with each other. You can ask them why they have installed a camera doorbell, what they are filming, and whether you can view the images or listen to the sound recordings. Maybe you can solve the problem together quickly.