"Everyone should be able to feel safe in their own home
and in their own back yard," Governor Cuomo said. "This legislation
will crack down on disturbing behavior and give New Yorkers legal recourse and
peace of mind in order to protect their privacy and potentially their own
personal safety."
Unlawful surveillance was made a crime in 2003, however, it
only establishes criminal penalties for unlawful video surveillance when the
videotaping occurs in a setting with a "reasonable expectation of privacy"
(i.e., a bathroom or changing room), or if a perpetrator had to trespass on
property to videotape or install a camera.
This bill provides additional protections for homeowners,
giving them the ability to sue a neighbor for invasion of privacy if the
neighbor secretly records recreational activities in their backyard.
Senator Catharine
Young said, "Protecting the privacy of New Yorkers is paramount to
ensuring a sense of security for individuals and families on their own
property. This legislation will extend protections for an individual's right to
privacy in their own backyard while cracking down on illicit invasions of
privacy that may occur on their property. I applaud the Governor for signing
this important bill into law today."
