Illegal Dashcams (does This Include Helmet Cams?)

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by Helmut Visor, May 12, 2025 at 7:38 AM.

  1. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
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    Apparently it is illegal in Portugal, Austria and Luxembourg to have dash cams in your car and will result in large fines if caught, even if they are off or stored anywhere in your vehicle such as the glove box. Does this then also mean helmet cams will fall into the same category?
     
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  2. Bolosun

    Bolosun Senior Member

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    #2 Bolosun, May 12, 2025 at 8:06 AM
    Last edited: May 12, 2025 at 8:12 AM
    Not quite that clearcut they are illegal in Portugal. Reading this article they can still be used, it is how the footage is used may cause some legal rangling.

    I noticed that when I searched for the same for Austria, all the "newspaper sites" are saying illegal and fines up to £"stupid money", but when you dig deeper it is the same as Portugal. It is not the use of the camera but how you use the footage. See here.
     
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  3. Turbohawk

    Turbohawk New Member

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    That's Bullocks! Dashcams have saved lives, literally, mine helped catch a hit & run perp.
     
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  4. Ol' Grouch

    Ol' Grouch New Member

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    In most of the U.S., the police love them as they are n impartial witness. Insurance companies love them as it can show their insured was not at fault. I've seen people trying to commit insurance fraud be stopped when the target points to the camera in the windshield.

    Now, one place I DO cover or remove the dash cam is when I go to a military base. Photography of those is not allowed here and I'm sure most other countries are the same way.
     
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  5. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
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    https://www.travelandtourworld.com/...efty-fines-over-privacy-violations-in-europe/
     
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  6. Bolosun

    Bolosun Senior Member

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  7. Helmut Visor

    Helmut Visor Only dead fish go with the flow
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    Possibly, I guess until we get someone who lives there commenting or visits and has an interaction with the law we will never know. The link you provided dealt with the law pertaining to the gdpr rules, the product it produces and how it is used but not so much about how the authorities deal with it at the roadside.
     
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  8. Boothman

    Boothman First Class Member

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  9. Bolosun

    Bolosun Senior Member

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    I was thinking about this, and I have seen anywhere on any forum or social media site of someone being prosecuted for having a camera in their car or bike. I still think it is journalistic scaremongering that is nothing more than click bait.
     
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  10. Bolosun

    Bolosun Senior Member

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    @Markus lives in Austria, is this true about dashcams etc there?
     
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  11. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
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    #11 Markus, May 15, 2025 at 4:35 PM
    Last edited: May 15, 2025 at 5:21 PM
    @Bolosun and all the others:
    In Austria it is very "tricky"!!!
    There are a bunch of laws for this matter. It is forbidden to film people in public and publish the results without any knowledge and allowance from them in the internet. Additional it is not allowed to film plates or person's which/who can be identified by photos or films. "On board systems" are only allowed with a small shooting ancle and small distance views. To store the filmed videos is also forbidden. Permanent overwriting systems are the only one which may get an usage allowance. The filmed material has to be stored in save lockers, which can not be opened by third person's.
    BUT:
    Many "Go-Pro's" or adequate camera systems are used by bikers and also by drivers of cars here in Austria. In case of a "pit stop" by the police you risk a huge financial desaster! Also people who were filmed by you and "checked" your filming have special rights at the court with high financial penalties against you!
     
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