We’ve all seen those dramatic car crash videos online. They pop up everywhere, showing wild moments on the road. Often, these clips come from dashcams, those little cameras mounted inside cars. It makes you wonder: are these gadgets allowed everywhere? Or is there a catch?
It turns out that in some places, like Portugal, keeping a dashcam recording constantly on public streets is actually against the law. This might surprise a lot of drivers who think of these cameras as simple safety tools. But the authorities have a different view on it.
Why Your Dashcam Might Be a Legal Headache
The main reason for this rule comes down to privacy. Portugal’s National Data Protection Commission, known as CNPD, has been pretty clear about it. They say it’s not okay to record personal information in public spaces if you don’t have a very specific reason. This includes things like license plates and people’s faces.
The law in question is Article 19 of Law 58/2019. This law helps make sure European data protection rules, often called GDPR, are followed. It specifically stops people from recording public roads, properties next to them, or any spots that aren’t fully owned by the person doing the recording. There are only a very few, very strict times when it’s allowed.
If you get caught with a dashcam recording continuously, the penalties can hit your wallet hard. For individuals, the fines start at 500 Euros. If a business or group is found breaking this rule, they could face fines starting from 1,000 Euros. So, while those dashcam videos might seem useful for insurance or just for fun, the law in Portugal values personal privacy more. This shows how different places are grappling with new tech and old rights.