Lorraine Williamson
A routine night out should never come with the fear of being watched. But that is now the centre of a Guardia Civil investigation in Valencia, after hidden cameras in toilets were allegedly used to record customers inside a bar.
The suspect is a 48-year-old man who ran a bar in Alquería de la Condesa (Valencia). He has been arrested on suspicion of a continued offence against people’s privacy, according to the Guardia Civil.
A tip-off via AlertCops triggered the inspection
Officers say they were alerted after an anonymous report was filed through AlertCops
When Guardia Civil officers attended the premises and carried out an inspection, they found two hidden cameras installed inside the toilets, according to the press release. Investigators say the devices were recording continuously and were connected to a computer set-up that stored the footage across multiple drives.
More than 5TB seized — and the victim count is still unknown
The Guardia Civil says it has seized two cameras and five hard drives, with more than 5TB of stored material. Investigators have not confirmed how many people may have been recorded, as analysis of the material is still ongoing.
The case remains open while officers work through the seized storage and try to identify potential victims.
What the law says about cameras in private spaces
Spain’s data protection authority is explicit: installing cameras in bathrooms, changing rooms, or similar spaces is prohibited, because of the obvious impact on privacy.
Separately, Spain’s Criminal Code includes offences linked to the discovery and disclosure of private information (Article 197), which is the legal framework referenced in reporting around cases like this.
Investigation led from Oliva, case filed in Gandía
The investigation is being handled by Guardia Civil officers from the Main Post of Oliva, and proceedings have been filed with the Court of First Instance and Investigation No. 3 in Gandía, the Guardia Civil said.
If you suspect hidden recording in a venue, what to do
If you spot something that looks like a hidden lens or unusual device placement, experts typically advise avoiding confrontation on your own. Leave the area, and report it to the police as soon as possible.
You can also use AlertCops to pass information quickly to the authorities, including location details.
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