Perleberg's webcam idea: Data protection stops city marketing plan!

Perleberg's webcam idea: Data protection stops city marketing plan!

In Perleberg, the planned installation of a webcam on the market square recently caused a stir. With this measure, the city administration wanted to increase the visibility of the city and at the same time promote city marketing. But the idea turned out to be legally problematic, as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies when recognizable people are filmed. As maz-online.de reports, the webcam was thwarted by the authorities because, in addition to faces, it also showed windows and movements in greater detail.

The mayor initially saw the webcam as an opportunity to capture the flair of the city. But the impending consequences of a possible data breach meant that the camera had to be dismantled before the livestream could even start. The lesson is clear: effective city marketing requires not only a good plan, but also legal scrutiny and the necessary respect for citizens' privacy.

Data protection and press work

The topic of data protection runs like a common thread through current marketing and press work. According to openpr.de, press work is a central task in marketing that helps to inform the public and generate long-term attention. However, the GDPR, which came into force in 2018, poses a challenge as it requires a balance between the right to freedom of expression and the protection of personal data.

Another aspect is the national regulations that are missing in connection with the GDPR. Article 85 paragraph 1 requires that such regulations be created for the processing of personal data for journalistic purposes. There is a bit of a dilemma here, as press releases can often contain personal data that cannot be published without consent.

The role of freedom of the press

The importance of freedom of the press for democracy is undisputed. Information that is collected and published by newspaper publishers and online portals is protected by the Basic Law, as the BfDI emphasizes. However, press privilege offers a certain distance from data protection - journalistic activities are not subject to external control by data protection authorities.

Nevertheless, it remains important to protect personal rights. The German Press Council's press code contains guidelines for responsible journalistic work, in particular paragraph 8, which includes the protection of personal rights. The same applies here: the information requirements must be observed when recording and collecting data.

Whether in city marketing or in press work, it is essential that people's interests are at the forefront. The case of the webcam in Perleberg impressively shows how important it is to take data protection seriously and to include legal aspects in all marketing activities. This is the only way to ensure a good relationship between freedom of information and the protection of privacy.