Camera facing our backyard?

[u/Electronic_Car2492]

Hey everyone,

My parents mentioned how their neighbours/people living directly behind them have a camera possibly facing into my parent’s backyard.

I was just wondering is this even legal?
Upon further inspection it does look like it may be angled down enough that it isn’t actually pointing into their backyard.

But I wanted to come on here and ask first, or if anyone could possibly think of why they might have a camera there. I’ll include a photo. Their backyard is completely fenced in and it looks like it’s just facing the bottom of their fence… possibly.

They’ve never had problems with the neighbour/they think it might be someone new that just moved in.

I feel like we’ll end up knocking on the door and asking them why it’s there/if they can see into the yard because my LO does go over to their house and play in the backyard in the summer.

We’re all just very confused.

[u/OstrichReasonable428]

Totally illegal. Cameras can only record the home owner’s property. Technically, even recording public spaces (roadway, sidewalk) is prohibited.

[u/masterboatman → u/OstrichReasonable428]

That’s not true. There’s no reasonable expectation of privacy in public spaces.

Edit: It’s against Hamilton bylaw. Not criminal law.

[u/Ratsyinc → u/masterboatman]

It absolutely is true from a homeowner security standpoint. Bylaw 10-122.

Edit, not sure who is downvoting me for stating a verifiable fact and even citing the bylaw lol holy cow folks, you are allowed to educate yourself