I see signs in stores all the time advising customers that they are being watched by a security camera.
Are stores legally required to inform customers that there’s a security camera in the area? Or do they just choose to do so on a voluntary basis? Could a store set up a security camera and choose to not tell its customers that it’s there? (Let’s assume it’s in a public area of the store and not in a dressing room or rest room.)
Another possibility is that some don’t have security cameras but intend the sign itself to dissuade crime.
I believe it depends on jurisdiction:
That cite / site seems to be entirely about audio recordings such as telephone calls. Or a recorder in your pocket while talking face to face.
Video is a whole different topic. And may vary depending on whether the cameras’ signals are being recorded, or just observed by a person.
But your overall point remains valid that it’s very unlikely there’s any firm federal pre-emptive law on the topic, so the patchwork of state & local laws would govern.
I’ve always assume that any security camera footage was automatically being recorded. Otherwise what’s the point? If you have an employee who sees somebody shoplift an item, then the shoplifter could just counter-claim that the employee is wrong. It’s the recording that’s going to work in court.
I did consider that possibility. It is after all a lot cheaper to put up a sign than to install a security camera.
Well, a sign and some smoked plexiglass half-globes on the ceiling! 
I shopped at Dollar General a lot at my last apartment. Besides recordings played over the public address system claiming to be live security agents checking in, there were a pair of sensors bracketing the exit. Nothing sold in the store had an RFID tag or any kind of other anti-theft tag. The sensors were there only to make shoppers think that they did something.
Right at the top it says " Call and Video Recording Laws By State".
But if you read the content, not just the title, there’s not a word about video.
Regardless of any laws, the main reason for security cameras is to discourage crime.
Having signs presumably is part of the deterrence aspect.
I presume that’s to cover the audio portion of video recordings. Old security systems did not record audio, and many still don’t. but for example, devices like Ring Doorbell do actually capture audio also (configurable).
Exactly. Deterring shoplifters is much better than filming them stealing.
If you’ve ever noticed, Target amd Walmart stores have cameras covering pretty much the entire sales floors other than dressing rooms and bathrooms. Target is well known for this. Have you ever seen a sign notifying you of the cameras?
To be honest, I don’t really notice security cameras. I assume there’s some effort made to not call attention to them. And as I’m not planning on committing any crimes, I don’t seek the cameras out.
I notice the security camera signs because they’re displayed to be seen.
The site seems to brush that off by saying that video is generally allowed in public spaces.
Generally, video may be recorded in public places with the caveats that your video does not capture the audio or subject of the conversation, and the people are speaking in a public place
Also, FWIW, looking closer, that website is selling audio recorders. Or at least that specific page links to an audio recorder. The website’s homepage is all over the place, covering a handful of seemingly random topics in a handful of seemingly random countries. You can read about recording laws in Bangledesh or Hit and Run laws in the US. Are you selling your cat, here’s a Cat Bill Of Sale template they seem to think you might need.
I’m not sure I’d take that site too seriously. I’m not saying the information isn’t correct, but I’d probably wouldn’t rely on it for legal advice.
Isn’t the idea to call attention to them to discourage the people who do think about stealing?
Probably some of each. Obvious cameras so the semi-honest will be deterred. And not-obvious cameras so the pros wise to the visible cameras will be caught on the not-obvious ones.
I guess that’s my question. Are the signs there because of their psychological effect or are they there because they’re a legal requirement?
Don’t know about the legality, though no evidence of legal requirements has been mentioned so far for video. Whether or not there are cameras there should be some psychological effect from the warnings.
Maybe, but I think the deterrent effect is more desired then a dare to “go ahead and try to steal something because there are no camera warning signs”.
When I worked at Wal-Mart over 15 years ago they had many cameras and recorded everything for some period of time that may now be well over months. They also had monitor security personnel yet they’d (usually two at most) not always be at them. Yet even then, it was incredible how much they could zoom in and switch cameras to get “the shot”.
In the USA (I’ll just say generally) to be confronted by these folks and with Amber laws and such not unusual for the doors to close and remain that way. In the UK the former is very rarely done (at least once you’ve left - i.e. walked past the sensors and first set of doors) and the sensors will go off and you might be pursued a bit, yet I imagine it’s just to let you know. A couple times I’ve used the self-checkout and not noticed this was a time it wanted the card inserted and a PIN entered and walked past the sensors and thought “was that me?” and often one of the attendants would be in mild pursuit yet there would not be (I think far less likely in the UK) any restraining kind of action. The consequences would likely being recognised the next time you enter and perhaps even different stores share the info as widely as they want. Such outright theft and unseen “shrinkage” are priced in already.
I still am curious though about one thing; I’ve bought a vaccum water canister at ASDA and likely would have triggered a sensor and kept going or returning to pay. Yet a few weeks later it was empty in my bag and the bar code was on it and no RFIDs or anything had been removed. Can I inquire how that might work? If my wonder sounds like “how can I steal water bottles safely from ASDA” then nevermind. I’m assuming it’s somehow weight related.
Had I filled it with Jack Daniel’s I assume that would have triggered something. And almost all the stores the really good stuff is just empty boxes ($220 for 25 year old McCallan - even Glenlivet is often an empty box) and stuff is spider-wrapped or otherwise difficult to open without some magnetic thingie blocking the cap.
Anyways, having worked at several supermarkets and even a casino - as has been said - it’s those little black half-domes that would have the cameras (rotatable so “you” can’t see where they’re looking at). Almost every store will have something at the doorway. Facial recognition is very good now. I know Tesco has people centrally monitoring stuff yet even then, if 10 people come in, load up and walk out there’s little to nothing they can do.