Spy Review

Given how common covert wireless cameras are to buy these days, regardless of what country you are buying them in, they are usually the illegal kind. Using any kind of video or audio equipment to covertly monitor individuals without their consent or permission from the authorities is illegal in nearly all countries.

All western countries and most eastern countries have designated radio frequency (RF) bands, where only specific equipment is permitted to transmit in that allocation of radio frequencies. Most devices need approval and a license from the country’s authorities in order to operate legally. Certain frequencies are allocated specifically for the public to transmit without owning a license, such as PMR radios, wireless (computer) networks, garage door openers, and wireless microphones. In the UK, 2.4GHz is reserved for public use with video senders and wireless networks without a license.

Putting aside the legalities of surveillance, the most common wireless cameras transmit on 1.2GHz (1200 MHz), which is not a public license-free band. Therefore transmitting any signal at 1.2GHz, regardless if the signal is from a camera or not, is illegal in most countries. However, there are cameras that will transmit on 2.4GHz, which are legal to use by the public without a license, especially for security purposes. They are just as easy to find too. Just a warning though, they can interfere with wireless computer networks!