Studio Doorbell & Audio/Video Recording Privacy Notice

Last updated: 28 October 2026

At So Northern Quilting, we take the privacy of our customers, visitors and other building users seriously. This notice explains how and why we use the video doorbell at our studio in Rochdale, how recordings are stored, and what rights you have regarding your personal information.

1. Who operates the doorbell?

The doorbell recording system is operated by So Northern Quilting.

If you have any questions about the doorbell or how your personal information is used, please contact us:

Business: So Northern Quilting
Website: www.sonorthern.co.uk
Email: bethany@sonorthern.co.uk

2. Why do we use the doorbell?

The doorbell is used for studio security and to help identify visitors seeking access to So Northern Quilting.

It allows us to see and communicate with visitors at the entrance, including when nobody is physically present in the studio. Recordings may also be reviewed if a security concern or incident needs to be investigated.

The doorbell is intended for visitors to So Northern Quilting. If you are visiting another business or tenant in the building, please contact them directly rather than using our doorbell.

3. When does recording take place?

The studio uses a Tapo TD21 video doorbell.

Audio and video recording is activated when someone presses the doorbell. The system does not continuously record.

The spoken message heard when the doorbell is pressed is pre-recorded. Someone may not always be in the studio, although it may be possible to answer the doorbell remotely.

The camera and microphone may capture other people or activity near the entrance if they are within the camera's field of view or the microphone's range.

4. What information is recorded?

When the doorbell is pressed, the system may capture:

• Video images of visitors and other people within the camera's field of view.

• Audio of conversations and sounds captured during the recording.

• The date and time of the recording and other associated information, where available.

We recognise that audio recording can capture personal conversations and therefore requires particular care.

5. What is our lawful basis for recording?

Our intended lawful basis is legitimate interests under UK data protection law, for the purposes of studio security and identifying visitors.

This means we must consider whether recording is necessary for these purposes and whether our interests are outweighed by the privacy rights and freedoms of the people who may be recorded.

Audio recording is more intrusive than video alone. We will consider whether recording audio is necessary, including whether a less intrusive alternative would adequately meet our security needs.

6. Where are recordings stored?

Recordings are stored locally on an SD card in the doorbell system.

The doorbell also allows us to communicate with visitors remotely through the associated app.

Access to recordings is restricted to authorised people who need to manage the system or deal with a relevant security concern.

7. How long are recordings kept?

The doorbell currently retains recordings on the SD card until the card is full. When the card is full, older recordings are overwritten by newer recordings, according to the system's storage behaviour.

Recordings are not routinely reviewed. They may be accessed if there is a specific security concern or incident that needs to be investigated.

The time a recording remains on the card depends on the amount of footage stored and the card's capacity. We will review whether the current storage and overwriting arrangements are appropriate and ensure recordings are not retained for longer than necessary.

8. Who may access recordings?

Recordings may be accessed by authorised people responsible for the doorbell system where necessary for studio security or investigating an incident.

Recordings may also be disclosed to the police or another appropriate authority where there is a justified and lawful reason.

We take care when handling recordings, particularly where other building users or members of the public may have been captured.

9. Your data protection rights

Under UK data protection law, you may have the right to:

• Request access to personal information about you.

• Request correction of inaccurate personal information.

• Object to certain processing.

• Request erasure or restriction of processing where the relevant legal conditions are met.

• Complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) if you believe your personal information has been handled unlawfully.

If you have a question about a recording or wish to exercise your rights, please contact us at bethany@sonorthern.co.uk.

Requests for recordings will be considered carefully, as footage may include other people whose privacy must also be protected. We may need further information to identify the relevant recording.

You can find out more about making a complaint at https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/.

10. Changes to this notice

We may update this notice if the doorbell system, its settings or the way recordings are used changes. The latest version will be published on this page.