AITA for installing cameras without telling my housemates?

There’s nothing more frustrating than having your food constantly stolen in a shared living situation. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and flat-out disrespectful—especially when everyone denies responsibility. But what do you do when asking nicely doesn’t work?

That’s the dilemma OP faced when her groceries kept disappearing, and she strongly suspected one particular roommate. Instead of making baseless accusations, OP installed a hidden fridge camera—which confirmed her suspicions.

When she confronted the food thief with undeniable proof, the guilty roommate exploded—but not for the reason you’d expect. Instead of apologizing, she accused OP of violating her privacy, turning the situation into a heated moral debate. So, was OP justified in catching the thief red-handed, or did she cross the line by secretly recording her roommates?

‘AITA for installing cameras without telling my housemates?’

Expert Analysis:

The Legal Side: Can You Secretly Record a Roommate?

The laws on hidden cameras vary depending on where OP lives, but according to the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC): “Recording in a shared living space without consent can be legally complex. Generally, private areas such as bathrooms and bedrooms are off-limits, but common areas may be subject to different rules.”

Since OP only recorded the inside of the fridge, she didn’t technically violate anyone’s personal space. However, many people still view any form of secret surveillance as invasive, which is why some roommates saw it as a breach of trust.

The Ethical Side: Catching a Thief vs. Protecting Privacy

According to Dr. Nina Powell, an expert in ethical behavior, “People tend to react defensively when caught doing something wrong, often shifting blame to avoid accountability. However, violating another’s privacy to expose wrongdoing creates a moral dilemma: does the end justify the means?”

In this case, OP’s goal wasn’t to spy—it was to protect her belongings. However, because the other roommates weren’t informed, even the innocent ones felt uncomfortable. If OP had warned everyone about the camera beforehand, it likely would have stopped the theft without causing a major fallout.

How Could OP Have Handled It Differently?

If OP wanted to solve the issue without causing conflict, she could have:

Issued a warning first – Saying, “My food keeps going missing. I’m putting a camera in the fridge to see what’s happening.” This would have stopped the thief without making innocent roommates uncomfortable.
Used a fridge lockbox – Instead of recording, OP could have locked up her food, preventing theft without surveillance.
Proposed a shared food fund – If money was an issue, splitting the cost of common groceries might have prevented resentment and stealing.

What Reddit Had to Say: Did OP Handle It the Right Way?

Reddit was split into three camps on the issue. Team “NTA” argued that OP was justified in catching Kate, who had no right to complain about privacy while actively violating trust.

Team “ESH” acknowledged that Kate was wrong for stealing but felt OP also crossed a line by installing a hidden camera without informing her roommates.

Meanwhile, Team “You Should Have Just Told Them” believed that simply announcing the camera’s presence would have prevented theft without unnecessary conflict.