What is the best nanny cam system? What are the laws regarding hidden surveillance recording? How can I install a spy cam or nanny cam system? One resource for finding the answers to various questions is The Nanny Cam Blog. The following are a sample of the questions discussed recently.

Is it legal to record people with a hidden camera?

In most cases it is legal to record video with a hidden camera, but hidden audio recording is prohibited in some states. Of course, discretion should be used when deciding where to place a hidden camera; unless it is absolutely necessary, you should avoid installing the camera where there is a reasonable expectation of personal privacy, such as a bathroom. Bear in mind that if you intend to use hidden video or audio recordings as evidence in court, they may be deemed inadmissible without involvement of a licensed private investigator or lawyer. Hidden audio recording is illegal in the following states: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennyslvania, and Washington. It is best to check the laws in your area regarding surveillance.

Should I tell my nanny about the cameras?

Many professional nannies will assume that there may be hidden cameras, and the decision to install them, and to inform the nanny about them, will depend on your relationship and level of comfort dealing with this subject. Some parents simply state that they want to be able to see their child while at work during the day, and hope that the nanny will accept this. Other parents decide to install surveillance, but not to tell the nanny, for fear that they will never find another nanny as good if she is offended and decides to leave. All parents want to believe that they have a kind, gentle, conscientious nanny, but when it come to your child, there is no limit to worry.

How can I track where my nanny takes my child?

There are two basic types of GPS devices for surveillance purposes; live GPS trackers, and GPS recorders. A live GPS tracker is used in conjunction with a subscription to a location data provider, similar to a monthly cellphone plan; you can log on to your private tracking website to view live or historical data. A GPS recorder provides the same historical data as a live GPS tracker, without the cost of a monthly subscription, but it must be downloaded from the device into your PC when you have the opportunity to remove it from the surveillance target vehicle. Battery life in the portable GPS units are usually a week to ten days, but the live GPS trackers can be wired to the vehicle battery for permanent installation.

How can I record what my child is doing while visiting friends or relatives?

There are several types of hidden camera kits available, such as a bag camera with mini-DVR, a cellphone camcorder, or a pen camcorder, but they would require being placed in the proper position, and that no one cared to inspect their disguises. One of the best devices to help you figure out what your child is doing is a small solid-state digital voice recorder, with large storage capacity and long battery life; such a device can be sewn into the fold in a backpack, and will reliably record in voice-activated mode, without making any noises which might disclose it's location.