Expectation of Privacy in 'Public'

[Anonymous]

My friend lives in DC and has a parking spot in the shared alley behind their house. It's a bit like a small parking lot where 3 or 4 neighbors have spots as well. He owns a Rivian, which has 24 hour cameras mounted on the car.

I think most people have no idea they are being recorded when they are near one and, despite being in 'public', I think most people would assume a conversation they had with their spouse in an empty parking lot would be private. Well, he 'caught' a neighbor sh*t talking about him and now he can't let go of it. He showed me the recording and it was a pretty brutal take down. But, now he wants to confront the guy.

I'm telling him that's insane, right? Possibly even illegal, no?

[Anonymous]

You are recorded everywhere. How do you not know this? A conversation held in public is not private. Nothing is private anymore.

[Anonymous]

It’s not illegal to talk to the guy. Whether or not that is a “public” area in terms of recording is debatable but I lean yes it is.

But no good will come of confronting the guy. And clearly your “friend” has problems.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend lives in DC and has a parking spot in the shared alley behind their house. It's a bit like a small parking lot where 3 or 4 neighbors have spots as well. He owns a Rivian, which has 24 hour cameras mounted on the car.

I think most people have no idea they are being recorded when they are near one and, despite being in 'public', I think most people would assume a conversation they had with their spouse in an empty parking lot would be private. Well, he 'caught' a neighbor sh*t talking about him and now he can't let go of it. He showed me the recording and it was a pretty brutal take down. But, now he wants to confront the guy.

I'm telling him that's insane, right? Possibly even illegal, no?

I think it's super weird that he was even listening to the recordings. Has he always been mentally ill or is this an affliction that developed later in life? Which personality disorder does he have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are recorded everywhere. How do you not know this? A conversation held in public is not private. Nothing is private anymore.

Agree. My friend from nyc grew up like this. She was taught as a child, someone is always watching you even if you’re “alone.”

Don’t pick a booger or a wedgie. Someone’s watching.

The rest of us in suburbs and the country have to get used to this.

[Anonymous]

You shouldn’t confront him, but he should definitely remember the next time the guy needs help. And if they are friends or friendly, I would maybe cool that down.

[Anonymous]

It's not illegal. There is no legal expectation of privacy in a public space. But it is super creepy to spy on the neighbors like that. Just because something is legal and easy doesn't make it a good choice.

No damage or thievery, why even listen. That's intrusive. The Rivian owner reminds me of a kid who snooped for Christmas presents or read a friend's or sibling's diary. Now he lives with the consequences. If he starts trouble over it, I doubt most neighbors will take his side. Because they'll know he's creeping on them too.

I had exterior cameras for a specific stalker related issue. I told my neighbors about them and I just fast forwarded through any neighbor content.

[Anonymous]

Him confronting the neighbor won't end well for him. Now he will become known as the creep who watches and listens to all the videos that his car records. If I found this out about a neighbor or anyone I knew IRL, I would stay far, far away from them.

As for your other point, I have zero expectation of privacy in public. I'm well aware I could be recorded or over heard wherever I am and generally act accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Well, I certainly get why the neighbors were talking about him. Your friend sounds like a creep.

[Anonymous]

Imagine going through your car recordings to see what your neighbors are doing.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, this will make the situation even worse for your friend. I'm guessing he is already problematic, hence his neighbors trash talking him. For him to confront them makes it worse.

Maybe he should really listen to what they said about him and take it to heart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You are recorded everywhere. How do you not know this? A conversation held in public is not private. Nothing is private anymore.

You are totally wrong. It’s illegal to record voices; it’s been part of Maryland law forever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You are recorded everywhere. How do you not know this? A conversation held in public is not private. Nothing is private anymore.

You are totally wrong. It’s illegal to record voices; it’s been part of Maryland law forever.

This is DC. And recording laws refer to private conversations, not those held in public with no “expectation of privacy.” That loud lady FaceTiming her mom in the ballet waiting room has no expectation of privacy.

[Anonymous]

The neighbor should have no expectation of privacy in that situation, regardless of who they are talking to. It is not illegal for your friend to record them.

Your friend is stupid to confront the neighbor. On many levels.

The neighbor is probably right about your friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Imagine going through your car recordings to see what your neighbors are doing.

This. I can't even go through meeting recordings. I just ask for summaries.

How long do all these cars keep these recordings? They must save them on the cloud, so even the drivers have no expectation of privacy