The Personal Data Authority (AP) is getting more and more complaints from people who are concerned about their privacy due to their neighbors' doorbell or security camera. The AP wants to prevent misuse of doorbell cameras as much as possible. Therefore, the AP calls on manufacturers to set doorbell cameras privacy-proof by default. The AP also wants more awareness among consumers, for example through education about what is and is not allowed.
In 2024, the AP received 370 complaints and 702 tips about doorbell cameras and security cameras from individuals. That's a 20% increase from 2023. That's according to the AP's 2024 complaint report. In 2025, the AP received more than 300 complaints about private cameras through August.
Complaints include doorbell cameras filming the front door of neighbors across the street and cameras capturing (in part) public space or someone else's property. This is not allowed under the General Data Protection Regulation (AVG). People feel they are being watched or have their freedom restricted.
'A doorbell camera can make people feel safer, but it should infringe on the privacy of others as little as possible,' said AP Vice President Monique Verdier. 'People now feel spied on if the neighbor can keep track of exactly when you come home and who all visits via his doorbell camera.'
The AP is concerned about the explosion in the number of doorbell cameras and complaints about them. The use of doorbell cameras is becoming increasingly popular, and many of them are set incorrectly. It is not realistic to monitor all doorbells. Therefore, the AP also wants to focus on prevention. If the camera is set properly, it can help secure your property without bothering others.
The AP finds that people often do not know the risks of using a doorbell camera. Many people do not know that their camera can inadvertently capture too much footage. Also, doorbell cameras often have features such as facial recognition, night vision or audio recording, which add to the impact on the privacy of others. In addition, the images may be stored in countries outside of Europe, such as the United States or China. And there, personal data may not be secure because the level of protection of personal data there is not always the same as in Europe.
The AP wants doorbell cameras to be used in a way that does not violate the privacy of others. Therefore, the AP calls on camera manufacturers to provide good privacy settings by default, which private individuals can also easily use. The AP structurally needs more budget to be able to carry out supervision adequately. If enough budget becomes available, the AP wants to start looking at how to create more awareness among consumers.
In this way, the AP wants to make clear what the rules are and what privacy risks can arise if people do not comply with them. The AP's website already has practical information about camera use in and around the home, including a step-by-step plan. The AP would like to see how this explanation can reach as many doorbell camera users as possible. In addition, the AP wants to create more awareness of privacy risks among police, municipalities and housing associations, among others.
