Although not all security cameras come equipped with audio recording facilities, some are. How do you know if a security camera is recording audio? Here are five ways in which you can tell whether the camera has audio surveillance.
1. Search the model online
It can get tough to know whether a security camera has an embedded microphone. If you aren’t sure, take a photo. Then Google to find its model number and you would see its features and specs. At the same time, you can easily search for similar security cameras by doing a reverse search on Google Images.
2. Spot the mic on the camera
There are some cameras where you can spot the microphone itself. Generally, you can look out for a small hole in the camera housing for picking up sounds. If you do spot a black hole in the middle of the camera, then you can be assured that you’re audio recorded as well.
3. Get hold of the footage
In most of the jurisdictions, audio recording can be a direct invasion of your privacy, and it is your right to know whether you are under sound supervision. If you can get hold of the video footage, then the best way to know if the audio was recorded along with the video footage is to get the recorded video, download it, and play it to see if any sound was recorded as well.
4. Inquire about it
You can inquire at your company’s IT department. Many cameras come with the option of disabling audio recording feature. However that may be very rare. So, make sure you contact the support team and ask. This applies to both private as well as public spaces.
5. Stay away from the camera
You may be in the camera’s eye, if it’s beyond a certain distance, then the chances are that the camera can not record your voice. They vary with different brands but are usually limited to a certain range. So, if you must talk about something or hear something you don’t wish to share under surveillance, then walk away from a little distance.
