What to do if your dashcam captures a crime? Ethical and legal guide

Ethical and legal guide to acting correctly

Dashcams have evolved from a simple gadget for recording your trips to a key tool for security and justice. But what happens if your dashcam records a crime or a compromising situation? Can you use that footage as evidence? Should you share it? What does the law say?

In this guide, we explain step by step what to do if your dashcam captures a crime, from a legal, ethical, and practical perspective.

What is considered a crime recorded by a dashcam?

Your dashcam can capture images of crimes such as:

• Hit-and-run traffic accidents
• Theft or vandalism on public roads
• Aggression between people
• Reckless driving or driving under the influence of alcohol
• Intentional damage to vehicles

You don't need to be part of the incident: even as a passive witness, your recording can be useful to authorities.

Is it legal to use dashcam footage in Spain?

Yes, but with conditions:

• You can hand the recording over to the police or civil guard if you believe it is relevant to an investigation.
• You may not publicly share it (on social media, YouTube, etc.) if identifiable people appear in it, as this violates their right to image and the Data Protection Act (LOPDGDD).
• Images should be proportional and justified: that is, you are not recording all day indiscriminately.

Tip: If you believe there is a serious violation or crime, save the recording in a safe place (SD card, hard drive, cloud) and do not edit or modify it.

How to hand over the recording to the police?

If you decide to cooperate with justice, do so as follows:

1. Go to a police station (or call 112 if it's urgent).
2. Briefly explain what your dashcam has recorded.
3. Bring a copy of the recording (on a USB, SD, or on your phone) and, if possible, the exact moment of the video.
4. You can also file a report as a witness, even if you are not directly involved.

In some cases, law enforcement may even request images by email if you are unable to travel.

What if he records it on private property?

If your dashcam records a crime on private property (for example, from your car parked in front of a house), we're entering more delicate territory.

• In principle, you cannot record the interior of private property, even accidentally.
• If the crime is serious (assault, robbery, etc.), you can hand it over to the authorities, who will evaluate its validity as evidence. In many cases, it is accepted if it is useful in clarifying the facts.

What if I want to publish it on social media to report it?

It is understandable to want to share what has been recorded, but:

• It is not legal to publish identifiable images without someone's consent.
• If you post faces, license plates, or voices, you may be subject to a privacy violation complaint.

If you do this, blur faces and license plates and make sure you don't directly identify people.

Good practices if you have a dashcam

• Keep the time and date set correctly.
• Delete irrelevant recordings if your dashcam doesn't do so automatically.
• Provide a “vehicle with on-board camera” sticker if you record continuously.
• If you witness a crime live, prioritize your safety: don't confront it, and call 112.

In summary

Having a dashcam gives you a powerful tool, but it also comes with a great responsibility. If you catch a crime:

• Don't ignore it.
• Act with judgment.
• Hand the recording over to the authorities if it might be useful.
• Always respect the privacy of others.

Has anything similar ever happened to you?

Have you recorded an unexpected situation with your dashcam?

Tell us about your experience in the comments or write to us on social media!