Someone is at your front door (2025)
Visit: someoneisatyourfrontdoor.com
The smart doorbell is incredibly popular in the Netherlands. Currently, there are more than 1.2 million smart doorbells installed in the Netherlands, meaning 1 in 5 households has one. It's also a source of irritation for many people. Users, manufacturers, and even the police don't follow the camera usage rules set by the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP). Neighbors feel spied upon with all those cameras on facades, or even become victims because footage is constantly shared on WhatsApp and TikTok without permission.
Much is written about those dangerous consequences from journalism, science, and art, but little about the human experience. Why do we so desperately want to know what's happening in front of our door? What impact does the smart doorbell have on our culture and the way we interact with each other? And will the success of the smart doorbell make us think differently about surveillance cameras? Will that image change from an enemy to that of a household friend?
This online publication features Dutch and English interactive essays, tutorials, workshops, interviews and more, that dive deeper into human relationships, responsible use, neo-liberalism and horror.
With contributions from dr. Laura op de Beke, dr. Dan Hassler-Forest, Simoon Hermus and Dave Borghuis.
This project is made possible with the financial support from Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie and CBK Rotterdam.
The smart doorbell is incredibly popular in the Netherlands. Currently, there are more than 1.2 million smart doorbells installed in the Netherlands, meaning 1 in 5 households has one. It's also a source of irritation for many people. Users, manufacturers, and even the police don't follow the camera usage rules set by the Dutch Data Protection Authority (AP). Neighbors feel spied upon with all those cameras on facades, or even become victims because footage is constantly shared on WhatsApp and TikTok without permission.
Much is written about those dangerous consequences from journalism, science, and art, but little about the human experience. Why do we so desperately want to know what's happening in front of our door? What impact does the smart doorbell have on our culture and the way we interact with each other? And will the success of the smart doorbell make us think differently about surveillance cameras? Will that image change from an enemy to that of a household friend?
This online publication features Dutch and English interactive essays, tutorials, workshops, interviews and more, that dive deeper into human relationships, responsible use, neo-liberalism and horror.
With contributions from dr. Laura op de Beke, dr. Dan Hassler-Forest, Simoon Hermus and Dave Borghuis.
This project is made possible with the financial support from Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie and CBK Rotterdam.
Related events:
15 May 2025
Workshop: The Smartest Doorbell
.zip, Rotterdam
13 June 2025
Official launch of the online publication!
PublicSpaces Conference, Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam
14 June 2025
Workshop: The Smartest Doorbell
Waag, Amsterdam
4 July 2025
Workshop: DIY Smart Doorbell
Tkkrlab, Enschede
15 May 2025
Workshop: The Smartest Doorbell
.zip, Rotterdam
13 June 2025
Official launch of the online publication!
PublicSpaces Conference, Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam
14 June 2025
Workshop: The Smartest Doorbell
Waag, Amsterdam
4 July 2025
Workshop: DIY Smart Doorbell
Tkkrlab, Enschede
Find the Smart Doorbell Jumpscare Kit in the publication.
Building DIY Smart Doorbells, open-source project & workshop created by Dave Borghuis and me.