I have one single camera inside my home. I’m very careful about how it is positioned so that it can only see exactly what I want it to see. I adjust it so that no person is visible at any time, except maybe feet walking by.

I have this camera pointed directly at my rabbits litter box and hay bin. Rabbits can get very sick, very quickly and knowing when they last ate and pooped is a massive benefit when they have stomach issues. A rabbit not eating for 2 hours vs 12 hours is a big difference.

Gas for rabbits can be deadly, not eating is a huge warning sign for rabbit health. 2 hours is something I can treat at home, 12 hours will likely require a trip to the emergency vet. The camera has already saved me thousands in emergency vet fees.

You can see what's happening while you're away. Ideally it would only turn on when the normal occupants aren't home. I wanted one when we were out of town and our security system triggered a movement alarm inside. Outside cameras didn't catch anything and a cop came and looked around but didn't see anything. I'm guessing the motion sensor picked up on the curtains moving or something.

Otherwise, it's pretty handy for proving that you told someone something 3 weeks ago to win an argument. /s

• Areas of entry where there might be a better view for capturing the face or features of an intruder, specifically with better lighting conditions.
• Watching pets that are home alone
• Keeping an eye on someone, like small kids or an adult with a debilitating issue
• Insurance discounts

I have indoor cameras. I'm not really worried about the first one, the second is no longer a concern unfortunately as my dog passed away from cancer in January. I mostly have them for the last item at this point.

That said, ive used them to help keep an eye on my Dad, who had ALS. He knew he could signal to the camera for help (usually the remote fell, but a couple of times it was for medical equipment). All internal though, not internet connected.

When my kids were still in cribs, I set up cameras in their rooms as well. Hearing phantom cries is a real thing, and I had no interest in the crappy-yet-expensive baby monitors.

So yeah, they have their uses.

Watching pets, kids, 3D printers

Most baby monitors have cameras nowadays. So that's one possible reason.

I have one pointing at my front door, came with the house. It's nice when the security system freaks out and sets off a motion alarm (probably my cat) so i can stop the alarm before the cops are called. I don't think I'll be installing a new one the same way though, and this one is pretty much EOL. It's also turned off whenever the alarm isn't set

Yeah that part I can't really imagine doing, knowing that you'd never have anywhere where you're not being watched and recorded. Baffles me as well.

Baby cam

Judging by some Reddit posts, it's useful when you beat the shit out of intruders and can a) prove self-defence, b) brag about it.

Someone doesn't have mischievous kids...

Hardware Haven made a great video on how to make a local self-hosted security system. That should be a good source to get you started :)

Using the services of others has always been a trade-off. Though I'm not very concerned with them knowing that my lights come on at Sunset and go off at 11:00. Or that I change the color of them sometimes. And if they want to watch my fish tanks or the grass grow, well I suppose that's on them. Honestly if you have a smartphone it's a bigger intrusion and risk than any of these other things.

But that's not my name! It's actually -/

...

/- here wait, just take a picture of my drivers liscense and credit cards.