I am on the first day of a 6 day sit and I noticed 2 indoor blink cameras. One facing the couch while I watch tv and the other is facing another couch.
How can I tell if they are on and / or recording?
@sharondc not seeing a light does not mean it is off.
The recording light can be disabled
Did you ask the home host?
Hi @HelloOutThere Yes, nearly 45 minutes ago I sent the home host a text stating that I noticed these two indoor blink cameras. And I specifically asked if “they were on and / or recording?” I have not heard anything from the host yet.
These appear to be wireless and they have double AA batteries.
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Take the batteries out. They are not allowed to record indoors during a sit.
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Put them in drawers or throw a towel over them
Hi @sharondc
I’d put them in a drawer and remind the home owners that it’s against the T&C’s to have an indoor camera.
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@sharondc Unplug them now, and then report this to THS and insist that they inform the homeowners it is against the rules to have any indoor devices.
PLEASE mention this occurrence in your blind review, for the sake of future sitters.
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Thank you everyone for your responses.
The homeowner responded and stated that she uses the cameras when the pet is home by himself. She had “forgot to unplug them and that I could unplug the main link located in her office.”
She was apologetic and is aware of THS’ policy on internal cameras/ recording devices.
Thank you all again.
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@sharondc That’s good to hear.
Us sitters out here would love it if you mention something about this in your blind review. That way we know to inquire about cameras with these homeowners prior to confirming sits.
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Hi @Crosswords_and_puzzles When applying for sits and in the applications I submit, one of the questions I ask is "If the home hosts have external / interior cameras? I had applied for a sit with this home host last year April and that was one of the questions. At that time during our video chat, she stated that she had no internal or exterior cameras. Also at that time she had gotten sick and that sit never happened. I reapplied (for the sit that I am on now) and asked if everything we discussed prior was the same and she said “yes”. I honestly believe that she did not intentionally withhold the information about the internal cameras. We are all human --forget things, so I chalked it up to an oversight.
But that could be a question you may want to ask in your application when you apply for future sits.
Thank you for your feedback.
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Hello @sharondc a good outcome!
I would ask your consideration for mentioning the interior cameras in your review so that there is no future oversight and so thsitters will be informed.
Perhpas something like “…blah blah and HOME HOST disclosed the interior cameras and easily agreed that the cameras could be unplugged at the main connection to ensure my privacy.”
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@sharondc We always have discussed indoor cameras in our video calls prior to confirming any sit.
However, many sitters do not, hence the call out in your review that there are interior cameras. That would help sitters who might not discuss it, due to being shy.
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Problem solved
Can you please close my post?
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I just unplug or turn facedown any cameras I find. Typically, in my cases, an HO just forgot even though they said they would unplug prior to leaving, so I just take it upon myself to do so.
It’s illegal to record audio in many jurisdictions. (In fact, is more perilous than video.)
Thank you to everyone who helped the OP.
Thank you for updating us @sharondc, it seems like it was a great outcome with the owner. Enjoy the rest of your sit and I will close the post now as the issue has been resolved.
Feel free to use the spyglass for anyone who wants to continue the discussion around cameras in the home as there are a few previous threads.
Have a lovely weekend!
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