Does this apply to arlo cameras too?

Yes because it’s another room we are able to chill in separately and it was my very old TV before I decided to upgrade to 4k. We have a living room but on some occasions we want to watch our own shows. It gets used about once a week. It’s not used before bed. I don’t see the issue if you’re able to use it without fucking up your life. We don’t have a TV in the children’s rooms. We have a kitchen with a small dining table - no mobile devices allowed so makes sense not to have a tv. We don’t have any other rooms.

The wealthy have the choice of when they pay taxes by arranging their disposals, finding loopholes or lobbying. Normal people, especially employees, have no real say on when they pay taxes or how much - they are deducted when they are paid or are taken when paying for the things they need.

One side has the resources to pay more tax than the other but can arrange their affairs to pay less or pay when it suits them. Yet somehow the argument is that you cannot tax illiquid wealth, that wealth funds investment or that or is unfair. What about the normal tax payers who struggle to pay rent, buy a house, buy food, buy childcare etc.

The truth is, the wealthy can afford to pay taxes at the level and timing that suits society rather than themselves. We can find a way to make that tax as fair and useful as possible but the main thing is to get the money from them to help society.

Three days ago was in a shop at about 10.30am buying something with my headphones on. Went past the two guys queuing behind and one spotted me, pointed down and said “you dropped your gay card” and started laughing. I naturally looked down when he was pointing before I realised what he said. I was so stunned I just looked back at him, gave a half chuckle then turned and left. Wish I said something or did something differently but was just so surprised and perplexed!

Curious how your workplace is handling this as laws here are very different to the US (depending on State). Are you still going to be on payroll as an employee or some type of contractor?

If an employee they need to operate payroll in the UK (called PAYE), and they need to consider if you create a permanent establishment for them. There’s also legal and HR requirements on them under UK laws (right to work checks, redundancy laws, can’t just fire you, pension auto-enrollment, minimum wage checks, health and wellbeing, safety, minimum holiday pay, sick leave, just to name a few, theres lots more and even more coming in a new law that’s just passed).

If you create your own limited company and operate as a contractor, you will likely be “inside ir35” but the workplace needs to assess this themselves. This means your own company will have to operate payroll and keep in line with employment obligations. If this is the direction you’re probably better off using an umbrella company but make sure you pick a reputable one with good reviews rather than the cheapest. This could also cause the workplace to have a UK permanent establishment depending on your role but less of a risk. If you DM your job title I could tell you the rough risk.

You could be a self-employed contractor which means you have to submit tax returns yourself and the workplace has no UK presence but it technically risky from a tax / legal point of view.

Once you move, you’ll likely become tax resident in the UK so should inform/register with HMRC. You’ll need to start paying national insurance after 12 months. You still have to do US returns forever. It’s one of the very few countries who do this by the way.

Check out moneysavingexpert.com for everything it tells you about - anything to do with banks, savings, credit cards, insurance, electricity, mobile contracts, broadband etc). It’s a life saver to explain different products to decide what you actually need, and then where is the cheapest or best value.

Buy anything above £100 on a UK credit card but pay it off on the statement day (if a normal one, look for 0% spending cards or balance transfers for essentially a free or cheap loan but might need credit history). This gives you extra putrefaction (called section 75)

Getting a bank account is the hardest bit so hopefully the HSBC account makes it easier but worth getting a UK based one too once you have an address (it’s free here so you can easily have more). I think HSBC sucks to be honest.

Getting a place to live can also be tricky. Renting can take some time to find and accept a place (one to three months depending on local availability). Buying can be a long ass process. Start looking on rightmove to get an idea (for renting or buying). I would rent for a while to get to know the places or ask someone locally where to live. You could rent an airbnb for a month (or another form of holiday rental) to make your life easier.

Check if you need a car where you live and if buying, look at autotrader.co.uk for an idea of prices but also look at car insurance as can be expensive but and varies enormously by car model. Look at how long your driving licence will last, if you can transfer or need to take a test after a while (DVLA is our licencing agency).

Once established in a place, register with a GP and dentist asap.

Theres a new rule about traveling to the UK if you have dual citizenship - you have to use your UK passport for the flight to the UK.

79% of smart dash cams we tested had security issues Out of 28, only six didn’t have any concerns. Find out what problems we uncovered and how to keep your dash cam secure Callum Pears Researcher & writer

Callum pushes tech to its limits and has spent nearly three years bombarding antivirus with malware, taxing routers and inspecting computer monitors

Which? dash cam tests found security flaws and concerns in the majority of smart models we tested, and in some cases they were breaking the law.

Smart dash cams have wireless connectivity and features that use the internet. This could be tracking technologies, motion detection, voice assistant controls and voice alerts, as well as more advanced features such as automatic cloud backup, real-time alerts and remote viewing.

You’re also able to transfer footage wirelessly to the companion app on your smartphone, which is much quicker and more straightforward than traditional dash cams, where you’d need to remove the SD or micro-SD card and copy the files over to your computer.

Although these features make a dash cam a more useful tool for drivers, they also expose you to potential security risks.

Our testing found numerous dash cams with multiple security vulnerabilities. In fact, of the 28 smart dash cams we tested, only six lacked security concerns.

Find out what problems we encountered, which manufacturers took action to fix the problems we uncovered, and what you can do to keep your dash cam secure.

Best dash cams: compare dash cams from Garmin, Nextbase, Road Angel and more What were the issues we found? A person watching dash cam footage on their smartphone

Of all the issues we found, weak default wi-fi passwords were the most concerning security vulnerability because they mean that nearby hackers could connect to the devices and access data such as journey information, saved recordings and other personal information.

Since 2024, manufacturers have been obliged to ensure that default passwords aren’t easily guessable. This can be resolved by enforcing a mandatory password change or by assigning unique default passwords.

We contacted each manufacturer to share our findings and gave them an opportunity to comment and resolve our concerns.

Road Angel successfully addressed the issue with its dash cams, which now require changing the default password.

Miofive initially responded and released a firmware patch that fixed some of our other concerns, but didn’t resolve the default password issue. Miofive didn’t respond to our follow-up messages, and we received no response from Kitvison and Orskey.

In addition to weak passwords, we also found mediocre encryption on some dash cams. There were several exploitable security weaknesses that made it possible to intercept data, access, and potentially modify stored video files.

To do this would be difficult for hackers. In most cases, they would need to be very close to the dash cam to exploit it – but it’s not impossible. Many of these issues are also exacerbated by the poor default wi-fi passwords.

Nextbase resolved our concerns with firmware patches. Miofive and Road Angel fixed some issues but not others, and we’re continuing to work with Road Angel to get remaining concerns resolved.

Garmin reviewed our findings but stated that it believes that numerous factors 'limit the exploitability of any purported vulnerabilities such that there is no practical risk to our customers’. Kitvision and Orskey did not respond.

In an age of growing cyberattacks and sophistication among hackers, dash cam manufacturers should be placing the greatest emphasis on their devices’ security, even if they think it’s difficult to exploit or a niche weakness.
Why is PSTI important? Dash cam showing the road ahead

The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act came into effect in April 2024. It mandates that manufacturers, importers and distributors (such as retailers) have a duty to protect devices that can connect to the internet or other networks.

It states ‘UK consumers should be able to trust that these products are designed and built with security in mind’.

The PSTI Act specifies the publication of information on how to report security issues, details on how long manufacturers will ensure security patches are released and the banning of universal default and easily guessable passwords.

These factors are important for strengthening security defences and ensuring that manufacturers release updates to keep products safe from new threats.

Although the Act gives manufacturers time to bring their products in line with its standards, they’re now duty bound to investigate compliance failures and take action if required.

If manufacturers fail to act, then the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) will intervene. The OPSS is an enforcement authority responsible for ensuring compliance.

Strong legal protections and vigilant enforcement mean UK consumers can use smart devices – including dash cams – with confidence, knowing that non-compliance by manufacturers will have consequences.

Which? takes this seriously too, and we’ve already informed the OPSS about our findings, the responses we received from manufacturers and the concerns we still have.

3 steps to keep your dash cam safe and secure A person installing a dash cam in a car

There are some simple steps you can take to boost your dash cam’s security, regardless of what manufacturers do or don’t do.

1. Update wi-fi passwords

The most important thing we would encourage every smart dash cam owner to do right now is to update the wi-fi password.

This is used to connect to paired smartphones and transfer footage wirelessly to them. A weak or easily guessable password could, under the right circumstances, allow others access to your dash cam and its library of footage.

As our testing has found many manufacturers still fail to either enforce a mandatory change, or provide a unique default password – it’s highly recommended that users update them independently to a strong, but memorable, alternative. Check out our guide to creating secure passwords for help with this. 2. Install firmware updates

In addition to resolving software bugs and performance issues, firmware updates also provide important security updates.

It’s important to update both the dash cam itself and any companion app. These updates ensure both are equipped to deal with newly discovered or recently resolved security vulnerabilities. 3. Keep footage backed up elsewhere

It’s good practice to ensure that captured video footage – particularly important footage (such as that showing an incident, accident, or crash) – is backed up securely and separately from internal storage and any subscription-based cloud storage you may be using.

The risk to footage located exclusively on the internal SD or micro-SD card is that it could become corrupted, damaged, lost or stolen.

Cloud-based storage is typically part of a subscription service (either from the dash cam manufacturer or a third party). The risk here is ending the subscription and losing access to the stored footage, which the provider may later delete after you’ve unsubscribed.

Back up footage on your computer or smartphone to keep it safe. Alternatively, for additional peace of mind, consider investing in a USB storage device or external hard drive to store your backed-up dash cam footage. Make sure to pick a model with a healthy amount of storage, as video files tend to be large.

The latest dash cams we’ve tested BlackVue DR970X-2CH Plus BlackVue DR970X-2CH Plus dash cam BlackVue DR970X-2CH Plus Amazon Marketplace UK £529.95 Amazon UK £529.95

The DR970X-2CH Plus is a forward-facing and rear-facing dash cam with a 4K camera for the front windscreen and a Full HD camera for the back.

It has a range of smart features and functionality, and you can review footage using the companion BlackVue app or the BlackVue Viewer web software.

You can also follow footage on a virtual map using the collected GPS data, helping you identify where key events occurred.

Through the BlackVue Cloud service you can access more advanced features such as push notifications to your smartphone, live view and cloud storage. Some of these features require a subscription at an additional cost.

Read our BlackVue DR970X-2CH Plus review to find out how it fared in our tough tests. Garmin Dash Cam X210 Garmin Dash Cam X210

Available from Garmin (£260)

The X210’s 2K camera is an upgrade of the earlier X110. It’s comparatively small, making its footprint on the windscreen minimal, especially compared with some models.

Motion detection, GPS tracking and voice controls are all notable smart features.

The Vault Subscription Plan Advance grants you access to Garmin’s secure cloud-based storage feature. This is accessed through the Garmin Drive app.

Take a look at our Garmin Dash Cam X210 review to see how it compares to others we’ve tested. Nextbase Piqo 1K Nextbase Piqo 1K dash cam

Available from Halfords (£99), Nextbase (£99)

The Piqo 1K is one of the more affordable dash cams we’ve tested, but it doesn’t come with a supplied SD card, which can easily catch you out.

It has a solid array of additional smart features, including GPS tracking, motion detection and the ability to access footage via the companion Nextbase app.

Footage is listed with thumbnails in the app, making it a doddle to cycle through them.

Check out the Nextbase Piqo 1K review to see if it’s the right dash cam for you.

Was thinking the exact same thing. Maybe https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2265322337/photo/noida-india-a-man-seen-carrying-lpg-gas-cylinder-on-cycle-in-sector-53-on-march-10-2026-in.jpg?s=612x612&w=gi&k=20&c=8ZL3ae36d5ZhVU2XKGhbYlXF_LRCv3_ppIWZpFEWpKY%3D

Wow, that is insane! Do you have any annual car checks like an MOT?

That is the same then but how do you get this number of infractions? I don’t understand. Maybe I should be asking whether we get the same issues here then if they’re falling through some gaps

That is interesting and shows they need to go further based on this so hopefully highlighting this issue will lead there. Any car without a clear licence plate should be immediately pulled over by police and fined on the spot plus checked for insurance, licence, etc. If they don’t have insurance here in the UK, the car is impounded until someone with a driving licence and appropriate insurance collects it. If you don’t have a driving licence, im not too clear if they impound it or just leave the car there and arrest the driver. Either way, they’re not able to drive off.

Any vehicle owner should either identify the driver at the time or take the points by default. Cameras should be changed to ones that take pictures of the drivers from the front. The technology exists!

If a car isn’t taxed, the police can fine or more usually, the driving authority roams around randomly and if the car is on any public road, puts a boot on the car and a massive yellow sticker on the windscreen. It doesn’t happen often but enough to make people pay taxes or get called out to your neighbours. Eventually those cars are impounded too.

The flip side to all this though is the need for infrastructure to actually slow cars down instead of just a speed limit. Only a combination of a lot of things will do anything

How do you not have a points system or something to penalise repeat offenders?

I saw one last week in suburban London. It is fucking massive. I’m used to bigger cars on our roads but this monster dwarfed my hatchback and the other days. It could barely fit in the lane and was left hand drive so must be imported. It’s absolutely insane for somebody to buy that and ride!

Do you or anybody know if there is a good place to find tactics currently being battle tested and updated from Minnesota and other places? I feel like the HK protests also had lots of interesting findings. It might be useful for SUTR and other UK anti-facist groups

For something similar here on a pavement, im really tempted to spray paint a line up all the cars in line with the curb but too worried that I’ll be the only one getting into trouble. Maybe if theres a washable one or I could get a few people together to protest

Im glad he mentioned enforcement cameras in London as they do seem to really work to stop the best majority of drivers but it also has to be seen in the wider context.

We have standard signage across the country, and one agency who registers cars and provides driving licences. The same sign being used everywhere is super helpful.

Enforcement of all driving infractions are high (apart from speeding to an extent). We have lots of speed cameras, red light cameras and yellow box cameras (https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/red-routes/rules-of-red-routes/yellow-box-junctions). We have highly motivated (often too aggressive) parking enforcers run by the councils who give tickets, and some councils aggressively remove cars in bus lanes or other areas where parking is not allowed. My friend got his car towed for parking on a double yellow overnight and I’ll tell you, the stress, annoyance and cost was enough for all our friends to be careful (in certain places which you learn or assume the worst e.g. Nottingham and Newham do this, Surrey does not seem to so see lots of misuse of double yellows and bus stops there).

We have mandatory, standard licence plates both front and back. You are likely to get pulled over by the police if it’s missing or not visible. There’s also a risk if it doesn’t match the car, which they have instant access to the details of through the one agency (name, model, colour).

We also have a points system as fines allow rich people to ignore these rules if you have fixed fines. Each infraction could be 2 to 6 points. If you get 12 points you lose your licence and I think you have to retake your test. You have a lower threshold for a while after first passing your test. I would love to see a fine being a percentage of income or wealth like some countries but the points system seems to work.

In central London, driving or having a car is seen as an expensive privilege. It’s also slower (because of bus lanes and restrictions), hard to find parking and we have great alternative transport. The suburbs are a different story where I don’t know anybody who does not have access to a car. If we improve public transport across the outside boroughs (I.e. not just into central), I really hope car usage will go down.

It’s very rare to see drivers using bus lanes in London as a result of these different factors, not just the cameras themselves.

Fun fact: diplomatic consider themselves exempt from these which is pretty annoying because they are not taxes, they are fines for bad behaviour (https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-11-14/hcws218)