# Surveillance cameras in rest rooms **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 13, 1999, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014 "1999-07-13T14:10:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 1999, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/1 "1999-07-13T14:10:00Z")
My Q is in the subject itself. I work in a huge building complex. the security arrangements are pretty impressive. And then the above thought occured to me, and I searched a bit. I couldnt find any. My questionis it legal to have surveillance in rest rooms? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 1999, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/2 "1999-07-13T14:52:00Z")
That all depends. Some states allow for cameras to be placed anywhere on the property of the owner. For example, in Washington state, a camera can be placed anywhere for “theft protection purposes” as long as it doesn’t include sound. This includes changing rooms, bathrooms, etc. * * * To deal with men by force is as impractical as to deal with nature by persuasion. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 1999, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/3 "1999-07-13T15:13:00Z")
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAACCCKK! tell me where I will make sure I go pee BEFORE I visit! ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 1999, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/4 "1999-07-13T16:28:00Z")
There was a local case (Rochester, NY) in a marina where the surveillance tapes from the women’s changing room were kept around for entertainment purposes. The tapes were impounded, but to the chagrin of the prosecutors it turned out that no laws were violated – they knew they wanted to charge him with SOMETHING! However, there was a civil law suit from at least one of the unwitting filmstars, so I think it would have been cheaper and more explicit to rent finished tapes from one of the establishments that specializes in that sort of entertainment. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 1999, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/5 "1999-07-13T16:36:00Z")
kellibelli: Thanks for reminding me–you should see a doctor about that mole. (Just kidding) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 1999, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/6 "1999-07-13T16:48:00Z")
you got me…my face is just scarlet, you should see it…or CAN you…? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 1999, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/7 "1999-07-13T16:58:00Z")
If the restrooms in question were public restrooms, then no, you can’t. But restrooms in privately owned office buildings are not considered public. If I were the landlord and I wanted to put cameras in the restrooms, I’d post “Not open to the public” signs. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 1999, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/8 "1999-07-13T23:58:00Z")
Sure you can video but you can’t do the audio part. This is the USA, is that what you are talking about? Might vary by state. What state? Plus, im sure they have to post somewhere that they are using cameras. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/9 "1999-07-14T00:15:00Z")
i dont want there camras in the bathrooms!!! i dont want poeple to see all my STUFF!! it migh make them horny annd shit thats y im the LOVE ROCK unless it was a girls bath room thenthats ok. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/10 "1999-07-14T00:21:00Z")
Thank you for sharing, Loverock. So were you just passing through, or were you planning on becoming a regular SDMB member? _twitch_ But back on topic, I remember seeing a TV expose (paragons of journalistic integrity, every one) about a hotel that put TV cameras behind its bedroom mirrors. Apparently, they convicted the owner, but only could because he recorded the sound as well as the video. There was a law against audio recordings in that case, but none against video recordings. There’s another case where the law hadn’t quite caught up with the technology. Then again, it was a while ago, so my memory is kinda sketchy. Your Quadell ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/11 "1999-07-14T00:31:00Z")
Okay, if you put an accent mark above the final e in “expose” in the above post, it makes more sense. (No, my television did not undress for me. 🙂 ) Your Quadell ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/12 "1999-07-14T00:37:00Z")
I think “loverock” is kind of misnomer for someone who has to ask an MB about that “little thing its likke a penis but relly small on their virgina.” (See [http://www.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001447.html](http://www.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/001447.html) for more detail) ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/13 "1999-07-14T01:14:00Z")
A few years back, the Galleria (a large shopping mall here in town) had signs in the men’s rest rooms advising that they were under video surveillance - I don’t know if it’s still the case. Also, sort of barely on thread, a couple of years ago it was reported in the news that police had arrested a man who had rigged up a camera hidden in whatever he was dragging around on a luggage cart so he could snap photos looking up women’s skirts. While not very polite behavior, I still wonder what law might’ve applied in that case. A guy got detained sometime in the last year when it was discovered that the boombox he was carrying around at the beach was hollowed out and contained a camera full of shots of bikini clad women - in that news story it was mentioned that police released him because there just was not any law against taking pictures that way. Anyway, struggling to get back on thread, does anybody remember Chuck Berry getting nailed a few years back for rigging up some hidden cameras in his home bathroom and snapping the guests? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/14 "1999-07-14T02:59:00Z")
“Galleria” ## I’m SICK of that word. I’ll stand nekkid in front of those stupid cameras if malls would quit using that freakin word. Damn! Isn’t anyone in business capable of original thought? Sorry, beatle It’s not your fault. Peace, mangeorge Work like you don’t need the money… Love like you’ve never been hurt… Dance like nobody’s watching! …Unknown ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/15 "1999-07-14T14:55:00Z")
You know that Michael Moore guy with the tv truth show? He put a camera on the Internet and its pointed 24-7 at Linda Trips’ apartment. I kid you not. Could still be on the net. Just doing the video part. She may sue for invasion of privacy, how ironic, eh? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/16 "1999-07-14T15:12:00Z")
> [@](#): > > i dont want there camras in the bathrooms!!! i dont want poeple to see all my STUFF!! it migh make them horny annd shit thats y im the LOVE ROCK unless it was a girls bath room thenthats ok. And here I figured that you called yourself “loverock” because as a kid (what, two years ago?) your pet rock was the only thing that loved you. Trust me, we don’t want to see your stuff either. Fortunately security cameras don’t have the resolution to see really small things. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/17 "1999-07-14T16:08:00Z")
cheftroy you are so dumb I nevr had no pet rock im not old like you and your probably soold you old u knew the dinosers and my stuff aint small if you want meto sedn you a pictur i will but not if your gay you just wish u were funny the chef on southpark. peace out ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 1999, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/18 "1999-07-15T05:58:00Z")
_shakes head_ loverock, why do you persist in entering a battle of wits unarmed? And I’m sincerely trying to help you with the spell check suggestion. Here we go again: (your original post) > [@](#): > > cheftroy you are so dumb I nevr had no pet rock im not old like you and your probably soold you old u knew the dinosers and my stuff aint small if you want meto sedn you a pictur i will but not if your gay you just wish u were funny the chef on southpark. peace out Your post after spell check: > [@](#): > > Cheftroy you are so dumb I nerve had no pet rock IM not old like you and your probably sold you old u knew the dinosaurs and my stuff Anita small if you want meet sedan you a picture I will but not if your gay you just wish u were funny the chef on Southport. Peace out Lucky for you, AltaVista’s babelfish translator is down at the moment or more hilarity would ensue. Trust me, loverock, I am so much smarter than you that you will never be able to win this war of words – certainly if you don’t learn how to spell them. * * * Live a Lush Life Da Chef ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/19 "1999-07-14T18:16:00Z")
Loverock, um, I think a lot of your problems would be solved if you just took your mittens off before sitting down to type. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 1999, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014/20 "1999-07-14T18:27:00Z")
chef im just kidding with you your cool its like yo mama jokes like yo mam is so fat she jumps and get stuck ha ha! im just plying with u hey where’s the spell check buton on here?i cant find it [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surveillance-cameras-in-rest-rooms/2014.md?page=2)