Asterisk lawyer Khantimirov: installation of a video camera requires the consent of 51 percent of residents of the building the form of imprisonment for up to two years. RIA Novosti was told about this by Stepan Khantimirov, a lawyer at the law firm Asterisk.
As the expert noted, in general, the law does not prohibit the installation of cameras in the entrances of residential buildings for security purposes. But this requires the consent of 51 percent of residents. The corresponding decision is made at the general meeting of the owners. If the camera is mounted without the consent of the neighbors, the management company or the homeowners' association (HOA) may require the device to be dismantled.
The video camera should not be directly pointed at the neighbor's door, the lawyer warned. If, when you open it, you can see what is happening in someone else's apartment, it is illegal. Responsibility for violation of privacy (up to and including imprisonment) is provided for by the Criminal Code. However, more often violators are simply fined, said Khantimirov. A more severe punishment can be applied if the recording from the camera is published on the Internet.
At the same time, the installation of a camera mounted in the peephole of the front door does not need to be coordinated, the specialist said – the door is considered part of the apartment.
Ways to recognize surveillance by a webcam were previously mentioned. If we are talking about monitoring with the help of the means built into the computer, then the indicator of the camera will work. If malicious software is used, then an indirect sign may be requests for access to the camera and microphone. Also, unstable operation of applications that use it officially may be a sign of taking control of the camera.