All Iowans should feel comfortable in their homes. The thought of being watched or even filmed is alarming, but it’s a real worry for many.
New technology has allowed some bad actors to install filming devices in homes and apartments without the permission or knowledge residents. Residents and their activities can then be viewed from a remote location. It’s a violation of personal privacy that can cause lasting social, psychological and emotional damage.
Senate File 2185 is a bipartisan effort to punish unscrupulous landlords and others who film Iowans in their home or apartment without their knowledge.
The bill expands Iowa’s definition of trespass to include intentionally viewing, photographing or filming another person in a dwelling with no legitimate purpose, when the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy and has not consented to being filmed or photographed. This would include placing a camera or filming device on the property and retrieving it at a later date.