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.
| Security Cameras | Amenity Viewing (CamView) |
|---|---|
| Record continuously | Live view only, no recording |
| Store footage for days/weeks | Nothing stored |
| Access restricted to management | Available to all residents |
| Used after incidents occur | Used before visiting amenities |
| Focus on security & evidence | Focus on convenience |
What CamView Does (and Doesn't) Do
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- 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 :::
- 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:
We only collect what's necessary for the service to function. Resident verification uses hashed identifiers, not plaintext names.
Resident sessions expire daily. No persistent tracking across days or weeks.
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:
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- 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.
:::key-takeaway Technology should serve the community, not surveil it. When implemented thoughtfully, amenity viewing helps everyone while respecting the privacy we all deserve. :::