In recent years, increasing insecurity in the country has led many condominiums to consider installing security cameras in their common areas. Although the purpose is to protect residents and their property, the implementation of these devices raises important questions about privacy rights and who is authorized to install and monitor them. The safety of residents is crucial, but so is respect for privacy rights.
This article addresses the key issues surrounding the installation of cameras in condominium common areas, explaining who has the authority to make these decisions, how data storage should be managed, and what can be done when a resident decides to install cameras without everyone’s authorization. In addition, it explores the legal avenues available to protect both the security and privacy of condominium owners, ensuring that the use of these devices aligns with regulations and the original purpose of safeguarding the community.
The growing insecurity in the country, no matter how privileged the area, has prompted the installation of security cameras in the common areas of condominiums. In several cases, some residents decide to install them at their own cost and under their own control, arguing that they must provide protection to their own.
The importance of the security of people living in condominiums is indisputable, however, the right to intimacy and privacy is a very important right that must be respected. Therefore, we describe some important issues to know about the installation of these recording devices.

Who has the right to install security cameras in common areas?
This power is entirely up to the condominium manager after it has been approved by a majority vote at a meeting. Consequently, it is this same body (the manager) that must also control the storage of the data, its conservation, and make it available to the other residents under certain rules, making sure that the use that will be made of these videos is related to their purpose: the security of the condominium owners.
These videos may also be made available to the authorities in charge of criminal prosecution, provided that it is required in accordance with the regulatory provisions governing criminal proceedings.

What if a resident installs security cameras in the common areas and another condominium owner objects?
Installing security cameras without the due authorization of all the owners is a violation of the right to privacy of the other condominium owners. Therefore, it is recommended that all amicable means (letters, mediation meetings, etc.) be exhausted in order to remove the cameras, and if this is not successful, the most effective judicial means may be: the Referral or the Appeal for Protection, through which a judge may order the removal of the cameras, and if requested in the lawsuit, the payment of a certain sum of money for each day of delay in complying with the court’s decision, counted from the date of notification of the decision: an astreinte (a penalty).
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