Old man forgets 390 euros from the machine - perpetrator after video surveillance!

Old man forgets 390 euros from the machine - perpetrator after video surveillance!

Uckermark, Deutschland - In Cologne, an incident has recently occurred that gets the discussion about video surveillance and legal consequences rolling. An elderly gentleman remarked when withdrawing the ATM when withdrawing that he had forgotten 390 euros. Another person took this opportunity and took the money. This incident was recorded by the video surveillance at the machine, which led to a faster clarification, as the Nordkurier .

The police were able to determine the perpetrator quickly. The 52-year-old defendant, a man with 15 penalties, admitted the crime and explained that he had kept the money at home for two months while waiting for a finder. Finally he used the money to repair his car. The court imposed a fine of 1800 euros against him and ordered the confiscation of the amount that he had stolen.

The role of video surveillance

This incident also raises questions about the legality of video surveillance. Since the introduction of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in May 2018, there have been no special rules for video surveillance, but the general data protection requirements have to be observed, such as Ferner-Alsdorf . The challenge is the weighing up between the right of personality of the monitored and the surveillance interest.

In Germany, the tendency to expand the video surveillance is unbroken, as can be read on the website of Federal Representative for data protection and freedom of information . Many refer to the need for high legal requirements to protect fundamental rights. Surveillance cameras play an increasingly important role in public spaces, especially for crime prevention.

What can we learn from this case?

The case of forgotten money clearly shows how important video surveillance is in today's world. It can not only be useful when investigating crimes, but also raises basic questions about data protection. In fact, those affected and companies must ensure responsible use of video material in order to protect the rights of the individual and to avoid abuse.

The example also reminds us that our behavior is often observed in public. It is important to have a good hand in dealing with personal data and always keep in mind that supposedly unobtrusive actions can also have legal consequences. A young man who finally gave the forgotten money back stands for responsibility and ethical action.

A topic that is still very popular and concerns all of us - also here in Cologne.