- Enforcing jurisdiction
- Spain · Geography does not establish applicable law.
- Confirmed applicable legislation
- Privacy topics
Individual – €1,200 Fine (Spain, 2021)
Privacy enforcement record
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A building owner in Spain was fined for installing cameras that pointed towards public areas, even though they weren't recording. The privacy authority said this could intimidate people who think they are being watched. This case highlights the importance of respecting privacy, even when cameras are not actively recording.
What happened
The owner installed cameras directed at public spaces without recording, which could mislead passersby.
Who was affected
People walking by the building who might have felt they were being watched by the cameras.
What the authority found
The authority ruled that the camera setup was improper and could violate privacy rights, even without recording.
Why this matters
This decision emphasizes that even non-recording surveillance can impact privacy. Business owners should consider how their security measures affect public perception.
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The controller installed cameras on his building, which were directed towards parts of the public space. However, no recording took place, as the cameras only served as a deterrent and remained inactive. The DPA notes, however, that even simulated video surveillance has an impact on the privacy of the data subjects, as they are led to believe that they are being permanently recorded by the cameras. According to the DPA, this has an intimidating effect. Therefore, the orientation of the cameras to the public space was also improper in this case. The DPA imposed a fine of EUR 2,000 on the controller, which was reduced to EUR 1,200 due to immediate payment and acknowledgement of guilt.
Related Enforcement Actions (0)
No other enforcement actions found for Individual in ES
This is the only recorded action for this entity in this jurisdiction.
Details
Fine Date
20 January 2021
Authority
Agencia Española de Protección de Datos
Fine Amount
€1,200
About this data
Cite as: Cookie Fines. Individual - Spain (2021). Retrieved from cookiefines.eu
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