Tenant installed security camera

[Wesley W.]

Okay, some back story.  Small multi-family C+ property...

About a year ago, one of my tenants complained to me that packages were being stolen off the front porch of the duplex she lives in and wanted a security camera installed.  (The house next door has one, which is probably where she got the idea.)

My response was for her to ask the delivery people to put packages in the rear.  She says she did, but they still keep delivering some packages to the front.  (I have no reason not to believe her - it's an extra 20 paces, and in my experience some of the shipping companies can be lazy.)

I told her I would not be installing a camera, but if she did the research and cleared it with me before purchasing one, I would install it.  (The lease stipulates that written permission from the landlord must be given prior to alterations.)  She said did not have the money for it and we left it at that in August of 2017.

Well, this morning I get a text from her downstairs neighbor asking me why a security camera was installed on the porch.

Granted, I'm still early in the "investigating" process (I requested a pic of the camera from the complaining neighbor, but she was at work) and I have obviously not yet addressed this with the upstairs tenant (whom, I presume, is the one who installed the camera - apparently a wifi model), but I'm trying to decide how I feel about this.

First, I did not give permission (lease violation) and the camera was not installed by me or at my direction, so I have no idea where it is mounted or whether it is piercing the envelope of my siding, or caused some other damage or issue.  So, that's one concern and that needs to be dealt with regardless.  I was there a few days ago and ran into this tenant, and no mention was made about a camera being installed.

The second is the unintended consequence of the downstairs neighbor and, frankly - anyone who enters through the front vestibule (including me) - is now "on camera" that is presumably being monitored exclusively and recorded by the upstairs tenant.  (In newer versions of my lease, I have a clause that states there is no expectation of privacy in common areas and the exterior for just this purpose I wanted to avail myself of such an option, but the current leases of the tenants in question do not that particular language.)  I am assuming that the downstairs tenant may have a problem with the camera being there.  However, she may have just been asking out of curiosity or a safety concern.  Like I said, I have not proceeded any further until I get some context by seeing the camera myself (via pic or in person).

Both tenants are good tenants and do not cause any trouble and pretty much keep to themselves (both are single women living alone, FWIW).  They are low maintenance.

I personally have zero interest in installing a camera of my own at the property (many reasons, including: one more thing to maintain, no internet in my name at property, cost, any other issues like this that arise because of it, etc.), but I'm having trouble forming an opinion about this, so I'd love some feedback - pros, cons, etc.  Not having walked in these particular shoes before, I don't have the benefit of any foresight as to what issues may arise.

Thanks in advance for your collective insight.