Dashcam in car: Are they legal in Italy or do you risk a maxi fine for privacy violation?

Have you just installed a dashcam in your car to feel safer? Beware: in Italy, recording the road without complying with the GDPR can cost you up to 20 million euros in fines. Yes, you read that right.

The dashcam is a lifesaver in case of accidents, but if you don't know how to use it, you risk being reported for privacy violation. In this article, I'll explain the trap, the real risks, and how to defend yourself with NakedPact.

The dashcam trap: What does Italian law say?

In Italy, the dashcam is legal, but with precise limits. The Privacy Authority has clarified: you can only record for personal and temporary purposes, not to surveil third parties. The problem is that many dashcams record continuously, capturing pedestrians, license plates, and other vehicles without consent.

If you publish the videos on social media or keep them for a long time, you violate the GDPR. And fines range from 10,000 euros up to 20 million euros or 4% of annual turnover.

When do you risk a maxi fine?

Here are the most common cases where the dashcam gets you into trouble:

• Continuous recording without reason: if you keep the dashcam on even when the car is stationary, you are engaging in illegal video surveillance.
• Online publication: sharing a video of an accident with license plates and faces is a privacy violation.
• Prolonged storage: videos must be deleted after a few days, unless legally necessary.

Featured snippet: How to make the dashcam legal?

To use the dashcam without risks, follow these rules: activate it only while driving, disable audio recording (which is always prohibited without consent), do not publish the videos, and delete unnecessary recordings within 48 hours. In case of an accident, keep only the relevant video for the authorities.

How to defend yourself with NakedPact?

If you receive a fine or a report for privacy violation related to the dashcam, don't panic. With NakedPact, you can get personalized advice from privacy and digital law experts. We help you assess your situation, respond to objections, and, if necessary, defend yourself in court.

Additionally, our team guides you in correctly configuring the dashcam to avoid future violations. Remember: prevention is the best ally.

The American model of the California CCPA and CPRA offers similar protection to the European GDPR, but with some differences. While the GDPR imposes strict limits on recording third parties without consent, the CCPA focuses on the right to access and delete data collected by companies. In Italy, the dashcam is seen as processing personal data, so you must respect the principles of minimization and transparency. If you were in the United States, with the CCPA you might have more leeway to record in public spaces, but in Europe, the risk of a fine is real. With NakedPact, we help you understand the differences and protect yourself.

FAQ

Don't risk a maxi fine. Use NakedPact to protect your privacy and drive with peace of mind.

The interactive widget allows you to visually calculate the risk of incurring a fine for privacy violation with the dashcam. Scores are based on the Privacy Authority's guidelines: continuous recording and online publication are the most critical factors, while disabling audio reduces the risk. The simulated random score (from 0 to 15) serves to raise user awareness, but for a real assessment, we recommend consulting a NakedPact expert.