Videosurveillance, data protection and urban security

Abstract

Capturing and processing images for surveillance purposes is a very widespread practice in our society. In general, video surveillance is used to ensure the security of assets and people, or in business environments to check that employees are fulfilling their work obligations and duties. Both purposes are valuable and worthy of legal protection, albeit subject to compliance with certain conditions. The use of technology for surveillance purposes has an impact on the rights of individuals, meaning that guarantees must be established. And it is evident, as has been highlighted by various judgements of the Spanish Constitutional Court, that video surveillance is a resource that is particularly invasive of privacy. For this reason, a balance must be struck between individual freedom and security.