Lanzarote En Pie (LEP), a local political group focused on transparency and citizen rights, has expressed concern about the way Arrecife Town Hall is using its CCTV security cameras.
They warn that sharing footage of people online without permission could lead to serious legal and financial consequences.
The warning comes after the council posted a video on social media showing someone leaving bulky waste next to rubbish containers. The footage was part of a campaign to tackle illegal rubbish dumping in the area.
While LEP supports efforts to improve public safety and reduce antisocial behaviour, it says the town hall must follow strict data protection rules when using surveillance cameras.
The group points out that Spanish law makes a clear distinction between cameras used for traffic monitoring and those used for public safety.
Cameras aimed at monitoring citizens require special authorisation from the central government, as well as approval from the Canary Islands’ Video Surveillance Commission. These cameras must have clear signage, and their images cannot be used for anything else or shared publicly without permission.
LEP spokesperson Leandro Delgado said, “We’re not against using cameras to improve public safety, but they have to be used correctly. If the rules aren’t followed, the council could face large fines, and that cost could end up affecting residents.”
He added that any footage captured by these cameras is considered personal data and must be used carefully and only for specific purposes. “Sharing these videos on social media or in the press without authorisation breaks those rules and puts the council at serious legal risk,” he said.
The group urged Arrecife Town Hall to manage public resources responsibly, legally, and with full respect for people’s rights.
