KEN KIRSCHENBAUM, ESQ ALARM - SECURITY INDUSTRY LEGAL EMAIL NEWSLETTER / THE ALARM EXCHANGE You can read all of our articles on our website. Having trouble getting our emails? Change your spam controls and whitelist ken@kirschenbaumesq.com ****************************** comment on homeowner requests cameras in bedrooms and other privacy concerns September 18, 2026 ************************** comment on homeowner requests cameras in bedrooms and other privacy concerns from article on September 5, 2026 ************************* Ken, Comment on cameras in bedrooms and a situation we had: I’m not sure we would want our company on the receiving end of what could happen with that video content. I would think recording minors in private areas, even by a parent, creates massive legal liability potential and negative exposure to us as a company. If footage shows a child changing or unclothed, stored or transmitted data (especially via cloud-connected cameras) can potentially violate child exploitation or privacy laws, placing both the homeowner and the installation company at risk. I would personally steer them to DIY and pass. On a similar topic of cameras and privacy we have a very old customer that wants to now add cameras and record the audio in an open office area from the cameras, and I don’t think that is good for our reputation either given Illinois law requires two party consent. The owner says all he needs to do is put up a sign and does not have to have employee written consent because it’s his office and they have no expectation of privacy in these common areas. I don’t know if he is right or wrong, but my senses tell me he is wrong, so I passed on the job and now he wants us to cancel his alarm monitoring which cameras were not a part of. We have an older K&K contract with this business, and we need to get updated language as the version we have is vey old. Be interested to know if new versions would have protected us had we taken on that job. I don’t think a contract protects us from something that is unlawful. Anonymous **************************** Response **************************** You are correct on one count, your company's reputation, because getting your company name associated with misuse of video or audio data could have negative consequences in the public domain. It won't matter if the law or the contract gets you out of damages, the damage to reputation will have been done. Your customer is wrong about signs; it doesn't help. If he wants to get consent, in writing, from his employees and other entering the premises that audio and video surveillance is in place, that's different and permitted. Your concern for minors is correct, but invading the privacy of guests or adult family members, or even people working in the house, could be just as devastating with significant monetary damages. As far as your old K&K contract I can't comment; it could be 45 year old version and it most certainly will not address video; maybe some audio, and obviously someone who is concerned with company reputation and presumably business success should be smart enough to update K&K Contracts at least every two years. The new[er] contracts would most certainly provide contractual protection, though can't protect against a news article or commencement of a law suit against you, just that you'll likely win. You were faced with the workplace surveillance issue, signs, no written consent from employees, old contract, customer breaching the contract with no justification .... do you think you should be a Concierge Client and calling K&K on regular and frequent basis for legal guidance? I do. 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Click here: https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/page/what-is-my-alarm-company-worth ****************************** Getting on our Email List / Email Articles archived: Many of you are forwarding these emails to friends or asking that others be added to the list. Sign up for our daily newsletter here: Sign Up. You can read articles and order alarm contracts on our web site www.alarmcontracts.com ************************** Ken Kirschenbaum,Esq Kirschenbaum & Kirschenbaum PC Attorneys at Law 200 Garden City Plaza Garden City, NY 11530 516 747 6700 x 301 ken@kirschenbaumesq.com www.KirschenbaumEsq.com
