Pirates d’Andorra Files Complaint Over Secret Surveillance in La Massana
The party urges prosecutors to probe advanced camera systems for data protection breaches and rights violations in public spaces.
Key Points
- Complaint filed March 11 by Josep Guirao targets 86 cameras plus bodycams with AI features like license plate reading and vehicle detection.
- Systems accused of automated tracking without signage, impact assessments, or public knowledge.
- Questions data storage, police access protocols, and APDA's oversight; demands agency president's resignation.
- Prosecutors asked to verify personal data handling and rule-of-law compliance.
**Pirates d’Andorra lodges complaint with prosecutors over advanced surveillance in La Massana**
The Pirates d’Andorra party submitted a complaint to the Principality’s Public Prosecutor’s Office on March 11, calling for an investigation into technological surveillance systems deployed in public spaces nationwide. Signed by party president Josep Guirao in his personal capacity and on behalf of the party, the document highlights potential violations of data protection rules and risks to fundamental rights.
The filing zeroes in on La Massana, where Pirates’ research points to a more extensive and sophisticated setup than publicly disclosed. Local authorities there manage 86 operational cameras across the parish, plus bodycams for traffic agents that remain in preparation. Beyond basic footage, the systems feature licence plate reading, vehicle identification by type, colour and manufacturer, and detection of issues like wrong-way driving.
Pirates argues these tools enable automated collection and sorting of data without signage or public knowledge, allowing systematic tracking of vehicles—and indirectly, people’s movements in public. The party raises doubts about compliance, including whether there is a solid legal foundation, prior data protection impact assessments, and adequate citizen alerts. It also questions where footage is stored, whether police protocols govern access, and under what conditions recording begins.
The party has faulted the Andorran Data Protection Agency (APDA) for a lacklustre response, with Guirao demanding the resignation of president Jèssica Obiols and her board in a separate administrative filing.
Pirates wants prosecutors to assess if the systems handle personal data, confirm required safeguards were in place, and scrutinise the APDA’s oversight to uphold rule-of-law principles. Guirao stressed the importance of accountability: “When things aren’t done right, they must be reported.” No response has come from authorities yet.
Original Sources
This article was aggregated from the following Catalan-language sources: