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Ask HN: What are you working on? (February 2025)

261 points david927 | 3 comments | 23 Feb 25 23:00 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source

What are you working on? Any new ideas that you're thinking about?
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mavamaarten ◴[24 Feb 25 07:09 UTC] No.43156614[source]▶
I live next to a school, so there's a low speed limit (30 km/h). Still, people drive like race drivers and the city hasn't ever responded to the residents' hopes of introducing a speed camera.

I wanted to have some data on how many people speed, the max speed recorded, that sort of thing. Things the city should be doing after many complaints of dangerous driving and people being almost killed on zebra crossings.

I have a doorbell camera, and by analysing the footage using OpenCV and some code, I can track how fast people drive if you see how fast they move between two known points.

Average speed: 46 km/h :(

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Apanatshka ◴[24 Feb 25 07:43 UTC] No.43156800[source]▶
Is that legal in your country? In mine (Netherlands) there are way too many people with doorbell camera aimed right at the street even though it's illegal to record a public space like that. Most folks are ignorant about it though, or think that surely the internet-connected gadget sold by some anonymous corporation won't be abused....
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onethought ◴[24 Feb 25 08:43 UTC] No.43157167[source]▶
For private use you can film in public places in the Netherlands no?
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xorcist ◴[24 Feb 25 09:59 UTC] No.43157723[source]▶
You are not allowed to put up unlicensed surveillance cameras in public places, no.
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onethought ◴[24 Feb 25 18:10 UTC] No.43162803[source]▶
What is a licensed security camera?

By this logic, are you saying cameras on private property, that happen to capture public space in their frame are also illegal?

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1. xorcist ◴[24 Feb 25 23:47 UTC] No.43166336[source]▶
Of course it is. Is this controversial anywhere? I would expect surveillance cameras to be regulated in most parts of the world, certainly around Europe. In the Netherlands I believe you need to register such cameras with the local police and you are responsible for following the relevant regulations and data protection laws.
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2. onethought ◴[26 Feb 25 19:03 UTC] No.43186920[source]▶
What you are suggesting is basically unenforceable. How would you know what’s in a cameras frame?

What do the police do with that register? That sounds like it’s just helpful for them. If it’s only a registration and not an approval process?

I don’t think you are responsible for data protection laws… like if it’s a ring, that’s amazons problem.

I think this is controversial, because how’s it different from me taking a happy snap on my phone and accidently capturing you in the background.

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3. xorcist ◴[01 Mar 25 01:07 UTC] No.43214329[source]▶
How are they similar? One is taking a picture, one is a permanent installation recording every movement in a public area.

What country allows citizens to mount private surveillance cameras in public places without a license?