In Concord, New Hampshire, residents of public housing are challenging the installation of noise and motion sensors that they say constitute an invasion of privacy. The Concord Housing and Redevelopment Authority began installing the devices, known as Minut sensors, in approximately 300 affordable housing units across several buildings in 2024. Originally designed for short-term rental hosts, the sensors track decibel levels, air quality, Bluetooth signals, and motion, though they do not record audio or video.
The devices, which cost $50 each with a monthly monitoring fee of $7.50, were introduced after the Department of Housing and Urban Development banned smoking in such housing. Notices posted in buildings emphasized that the monitors do not use cameras or record sound. However, many tenants were alarmed after researching the technology and discovering the range of data collected, including information that can indicate the number of people in a unit or their movements inside.
Residents expressed discomfort and suspicion about being monitored inside their homes. One tenant reported that a sensor was installed near her bed, leading her to wrap it in foil and place it in the freezer. Others questioned the housing authority about the nature of the data collected and received inconsistent responses. Several tenants adjusted their behavior to avoid triggering alerts, including asking family members to lower noise levels.
Legal advocates from New Hampshire Legal Assistance and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) became involved after tenants raised concerns. Public records requests revealed that the housing authority had collected hundreds of millions of data points on noise and motion, tracking activity within individual apartments on a minute-by-minute basis. One resident, Terri King, described the experience as highly intrusive; after repeatedly tampering with the device, she and her husband faced a $450 fine and an eviction notice for nonpayment, though the fine was later rescinded through legal intervention.
Earlier this month, King and another tenant filed a lawsuit in state court against the Concord Housing and Redevelopment Authority. The complaint argues that the sensors constitute an unlawful government intrusion and an unwarranted search of private homes, violating tenants’ rights. The plaintiffs seek to certify the case as a class action, demanding removal of the devices and deletion of the collected data. ACLU lawyer Nathan Wessler stated that residents should not have to sacrifice privacy for access to affordable housing.
The housing authority has not responded to requests for comment. Legal representatives also expressed concern that the extensive data collected could be vulnerable to abuse if accessed by unauthorized parties or through public records requests, potentially exposing tenants’ movements and habits.
Minut, a Swedish company founded in 2014 and not named in the lawsuit, maintains that its technology is privacy-conscious. CEO Nils Mattisson emphasized that the sensors do not include cameras or audio recording capabilities, and noise measurements reflect only average decibel levels rather than specific activities. Although Minut’s products are primarily used in short-term rental settings, Mattisson acknowledged that use in public housing is a newer application, often related to detecting cigarette smoke. He added that the data aims to protect residents and promote good neighborly relations.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions around surveillance technology in affordable housing, where residents may face heightened vulnerability and concerns about privacy.