Initially built for security and protection in casinos, banks, and airports, video surveillance equipment have reached homes and small businesses. The advancement of easy-to-obtain and inexpensive video surveillance facilities have increased the trend in home and small business use.

Video surveillance systems are now built to be small enough to be concealed. These can be inserted in teddy bears, clocks, and lamps. Most of the hidden cameras have wireless technology letting you monitor your house when you're away. Nanny cameras are one of the famous video surveillance facilities. These video cameras lets you observe your babysitter and your children's activities when you are not around.

Small businesses like convenience stores that are open 24 hours a day have also employed video surveillance cameras as effective devices against vandalism and shoplifting. Recorded videos can be presented in court as evidence. There is simply no way for thieves and robbers to escape from these video surveillance equipment.

Video surveillance equipment are also employed in offices and commercial buildings. It is useful for the supervisors to observe their people using video cameras.

The United States have legalized video surveillance for civilian use in a general sense. Here are 2 scenarios when video surveillance is illegal:

1. Video surveillance cameras are installed in places wherein high levels of privacy are expected. Video recording have been disallowed in places like bathrooms, locker rooms, changing/dressing rooms, and motels. Setting up cameras for the purpose of recording a person in partial or full nudity is prohibited by the law.

2. Video recording and audio surveillance is done without consent. Laws prohibiting eavesdropping and wiretapping also include video surveillance with audio. It is also considered to be illegal when there's a recording of a conversation you are not part of and the parties involved doesn't know about the recording.

There are various laws that concerns video surveillance from state to state. You must obtain authorization from the person in charge of the area before doing any video surveillance. Some states prohibit you from observing your nanny if she has not been notified.

When you want to ensure the safety and security of your business and home, it would be best to have video surveillance installed. Prior to doing so, you would need to discuss with a lawyer or the cops if it is within the legal restrictions of the state.

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