Security cameras in HOA communities are increasingly common. They monitor gates, clubhouses, pools, and courts. But as camera technology becomes more prevalent, residents rightfully have questions: Who's watching? What's being recorded? Where does privacy end and community safety begin?
The Difference Between Security and Amenity Viewing
It's important to distinguish between traditional security camera systems and amenity viewing services like CamView.
Traditional security systems are designed to record continuously, store footage for extended periods, and provide evidence after incidents occur. Access is typically restricted to security personnel and management.
Amenity viewing services have a different purpose: helping residents see if facilities are available. There's no recording, no storage of footage, no playback capability. You see what's happening now, not what happened an hour ago.
What CamView Does (and Doesn't) Do
We Do:
- Display live video streams from cameras already installed at your community
- Show periodic snapshots so residents can check availability
- Provide secure, authenticated access only to verified residents
- Aggregate usage statistics for property managers
We Don't:
- Record or store video footage
- Use facial recognition or any AI-based person detection
- Track which specific residents view which cameras
- Store resident names or personal information in plaintext
- Share any data with third parties for marketing
Privacy by Design
Privacy isn't something we bolt on after building a product. It's foundational to how we approach the service:
- Minimal data collection: We only collect what's necessary for the service to function. Resident verification uses hashed identifiers, not plaintext names.
- Session expiration: Resident sessions expire daily. No persistent tracking across days or weeks.
- Aggregate analytics only: Property managers see total views, not which residents viewed what.
What Residents Should Ask
If your community is considering any camera viewing service, here are good questions:
- Is video being recorded and stored? If so, for how long and who has access?
- Is any AI or facial recognition being used?
- What personal information is collected about residents?
- Can the service track which residents view which cameras?
- Where are cameras placed? Are any pointed at private areas?
The Community Conversation
Camera policies should be transparent and discussed openly with residents. Most people are comfortable with cameras watching public amenities—they already expect to be seen when using the pool or tennis courts. The key is ensuring that reasonable boundaries are maintained and that residents understand exactly what's being shared and why.
Technology should serve the community, not surveil it. When implemented thoughtfully, amenity viewing helps everyone while respecting the privacy we all deserve.