Community Guidelines
Last Updated: November 4, 2025
Welcome to the webcam.org Community
Our community is built on privacy, respect, and responsible sharing. These guidelines ensure a safe, legal, and positive experience for everyone.
✅ What You CAN Share
Public Cameras - Allowed:
Your Own Property:
- Your driveway, front yard, backyard
- Your business storefront or parking lot
- Your farm, ranch, or land
Public Spaces (with permission):
- Traffic intersections (if allowed by local law)
- Weather and nature views
- Beach/surf cams
- Public areas of your business (with signage)
Wildlife and Nature:
- Bird feeders
- Wildlife trails
- Natural landscapes
- Weather stations
Community Benefit:
- Traffic monitoring for commuters
- Weather conditions
- Public events (with permission)
- Neighborhood watch (outdoor common areas only)
✓ GOOD EXAMPLE: "My front driveway, Lake City, FL - View of street and my property"
❌ What You CANNOT Share
Prohibited Content:
Private Spaces:
- Bathrooms, bedrooms, changing rooms
- Indoor areas without proper signage and business justification
- Private areas of homes (yours or others')
- Hospital rooms, therapy offices
Others' Private Property:
- Neighbors' windows, backyards, or driveways
- Anyone else's home without explicit written permission
- Private businesses without owner consent
Deceptive or Malicious:
- Fake locations or misleading descriptions
- Cameras used for harassment, stalking, or intimidation
- Cameras hidden or disguised to deceive
- Doxxing (exposing personal information)
Inappropriate Focus:
- Cameras primarily focused on minors (schools, playgrounds)
- Cameras positioned to invade privacy (zoomed into windows)
- Sexualized or pornographic content
- Graphic violence or illegal activities
✗ BAD EXAMPLE: "Secret camera in locker room" (illegal)
✗ BAD EXAMPLE: "Famous Celebrity's House" (privacy violation)
📍 Location and Labeling
Be Accurate and Honest:
- Provide accurate GPS coordinates
- Write clear, truthful descriptions
- Label the type of camera correctly
- Disclose if camera is on private property requiring access permission
🔊 Audio Recording
If your camera records audio:
- Know your state's laws (some require two-party consent)
- Post visible signage if recording in public business areas
- Disable audio for public streams if legally uncertain
- Never record private conversations without all parties' consent
Tip: When in doubt, disable audio for public cameras. Video-only is safer legally.
👥 Privacy and Respect
Respect Your Neighbors:
- DO: Point cameras at your own property
- DO: Angle cameras to avoid neighbors' windows and yards
- DO: Inform neighbors if your camera may capture their property
- DON'T: Intentionally surveil neighbors
- DON'T: Share cameras that make others uncomfortable
- DON'T: Use cameras for disputes or harassment
🚸 Children's Privacy
We prohibit:
- Cameras with children as primary subjects
- School cameras (unless official with authorization)
- Playground cameras in residential areas
- Any camera used to surveil or exploit minors
Exception: If children appear incidentally (passing by on sidewalk), that's generally acceptable if camera's purpose is legitimate (traffic, weather).
🏘️ Neighborhood Sharing
Community Watch Done Right:
- Only share outdoor common areas
- Get neighbor consent when possible
- Focus on community benefit, not surveillance
- Don't use for personal disputes
✓ GOOD: "Neighborhood entrance, shared with HOA approval for package theft prevention"
✗ BAD: "Watching my annoying neighbor's house 24/7"
🚨 Reporting Violations
How to Report:
- Click "Report" button on camera page
- Select reason (privacy violation, inappropriate content, fake location, etc.)
- Provide brief description
- Submit anonymously or with your account
We will:
- Review within 24 hours
- Remove violating cameras immediately if serious
- Request clarification from owner if borderline
- Notify you of outcome
What Happens to Violators:
- First offense (minor): Warning + request to fix
- First offense (serious): Immediate removal + account suspension
- Repeat offenses: Permanent ban
- Illegal content: Report to law enforcement + account termination
⚖️ Your Legal Responsibility
You must:
- Comply with all federal, state, and local laws
- Understand surveillance and recording laws in your jurisdiction
- Obtain necessary permits if required
- Respect copyright (music, TV shows captured incidentally)
Common Legal Issues:
- Wiretapping Laws: Some states require two-party consent for audio (CA, FL, PA, MD, etc.)
- Voyeurism Laws: Recording in places with reasonable expectation of privacy is illegal
- Harassment Laws: Using cameras to harass or intimidate can result in charges
Disclaimer: These guidelines are not legal advice. Consult an attorney if unsure.
🤝 Community Values
We Believe In:
- Privacy First - Your private cameras stay private
- Community Benefit - Public cameras should help people
- Open and Transparent - Clear rules, fairly enforced
- Respect and Responsibility - Be a good neighbor
📞 Questions?
Not Sure If Your Camera Is OK?
Ask yourself:
- Would I be comfortable if someone did this to me?
- Is this camera benefiting the community?
- Am I respecting others' privacy?
- Is this legal in my jurisdiction?
- Is my description accurate and honest?
Contact Us:
- Guidelines Questions: guidelines@webcam.org
- Report Violations: Use the "Report" button on camera page
- General Support: support@webcam.org
Thank You
Thank you for being part of the webcam.org community. Together, we're building a privacy-first alternative to corporate surveillance while responsibly sharing public views that benefit everyone.
Share responsibly. Respect privacy. Build community.