Ring Doorbells and UK GDPR: Privacy Zones on Ring, Nest and eufy

UK data protection law applies to your doorbell camera if it captures people outside your property boundary. Privacy zones on Ring and eufy can block those areas.

Checked on 7 November 2026. Everything below comes from GOV.UK and from Ring's, Google's and eufy's own help pages. They are linked at the end. We have not tested these cameras ourselves. This is general information, not legal advice.

When UK GDPR applies to a doorbell camera

GOV.UK's guidance on domestic CCTV (updated 21 May 2026) is clear: "If your CCTV system captures images of people outside the boundary of your private domestic property, then the GDPR and the DPA will apply to you." The DPA is the Data Protection Act 2018. A video doorbell counts as CCTV here.

If the camera only films your own property, GOV.UK's guidance does not place those duties on you. Many doorbells face a shared path, the street or a neighbour's house. So many do film beyond the boundary.

What you must do if the law applies

GOV.UK lists these duties:

• Use the footage only to protect your property. GOV.UK says it must not be "used for any other purpose".
• Do not keep recordings "for longer than is necessary to protect your property". Delete them regularly.
• Respond to subject access requests. People you record can ask for a copy of their footage.
• Be open about it. GOV.UK suggests telling your neighbours or putting up a notice that recording is taking place.

The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) enforces the law. GOV.UK says the ICO "regulates and enforces" UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act.

How to set up privacy zones

Ring

Ring says Privacy Zones are "areas that your camera won't show or record". They are blocked out in live and recorded video. To add one in the Ring app:

1. Open the menu and select Devices, then your camera or doorbell.
2. Select Device Settings, then Privacy Settings.
3. Add a Privacy Zone and drag the box over the area to block.
4. Tap Done. You can add up to two zones per device.

Ring warns that motion can still be detected behind a Privacy Zone, which can still start a recording. To stop detection in an area, adjust Motion Zones as well. Ring says Privacy Zones are not available on the Video Doorbell (1st Gen) and some Stick Up and Pan-Tilt cameras.

Ring also lets you turn off audio streaming and recording under Device Settings, then Privacy Settings. Ring says this needs a compatible Ring subscription.

eufy

eufy says you can add up to two privacy zones to one camera or doorbell. They appear as black squares. eufy warns that activity in a privacy zone "may not be avoided completely to be recorded". Check your recordings after setting one up.

Google Nest

Google documents Activity Zones for Nest cameras and doorbells, but not privacy masking. Google says Activity Zones "don't change what your camera detects". It says the camera "still streams its entire view and stores the footage in your video history". So an Activity Zone does not keep the camera inside your boundary.

Google's own privacy tips point to the camera's position instead. Google suggests using "the camera's hinge or the video doorbell's wedge" to adjust the view. It recommends you "avoid recording public pathways or your neighbour's private property".

Turning off audio recording

GOV.UK's domestic CCTV guidance asks you to consider whether you need to record audio at all. Google says some places have laws on "whether you can record video or audio". Turning audio off is the simplest way to avoid recording conversations.

We did not find eufy's audio settings in its help pages, so check the eufy app.

Quick answers

Is a Ring doorbell legal in the UK?

• Yes. GOV.UK says data protection law applies if it captures people outside your boundary. You then need to follow the duties above.

Is it illegal to record my neighbour with a Ring doorbell?

• It is not banned outright. GOV.UK says UK GDPR applies once your camera captures people beyond your boundary. Use Privacy Zones to block a neighbour's property.

Do I need a CCTV sign for a Ring doorbell?

• GOV.UK suggests putting up a notice or telling your neighbours, so people know recording is taking place.

Does GDPR apply to home security cameras?

• Only if they capture images of people outside your property boundary, according to GOV.UK.

Does a Ring doorbell record audio?

• It can. Ring lets you turn audio streaming and recording off under Device Settings, then Privacy Settings.

Is it legal to record audio with a doorbell camera in the UK?

• GOV.UK's guidance asks you to consider whether you need audio. If your camera captures people beyond your boundary, data protection law applies to what it records. Turning audio off avoids the question.

Does Nest have privacy zones?

• Google does not document privacy masking for Nest. It suggests adjusting the doorbell's wedge so it does not film public pathways or a neighbour's property.

Why is my eufy privacy zone not working?

• eufy allows up to two square privacy zones. It warns that activity in them may still be recorded. Check your recordings after setting them up.

Do Ring privacy zones stop recording?

• Ring says the zones are not shown or recorded. Motion behind them can still trigger a recording of the rest of the view.

Can I complain about my neighbour's doorbell camera?

• GOV.UK names the ICO as the regulator for UK GDPR. Talking to your neighbour first is often quickest. They may be able to add a privacy zone.

Sources, checked 7 November 2026:

• GOV.UK: domestic CCTV, using CCTV systems on your property (updated 21 May 2026)
• Ring: using privacy features in the Ring app
• Google Nest Help: set up and use Activity Zones
• Google Nest Help: tips for respecting the privacy of others
• Google Nest Help: Nest camera or doorbell settings
• eufy: about privacy zones
• ICO: CCTV and video surveillance