A burglary victim who exposed the scumbag gang which ransacked his home has been warned he is breaking the law.
Robert Waters is being forced to close down his anti-crime website because it could damage burglars’ data protection rights.
The IT lecturer posted footage of a gang of thugs smashing their way into his Dublin home in December.
The CCTV clearly showed the criminals breaking in through the kitchen window.
They stole his wife’s jewellery, cash, sets of keys and his children’s money boxes.
He set up www. crimecctv. com in a bid to identify those involved and invited others to post videos of break-ins.
But the Data Protection Commissioner warned him he should have got permission from the burglars before posting it online.
Robert told how the Data Commission caused him more sleepless nights than the thieves.
Mr Waters who caught a group of men breaking into his property on CCTV
He said: “I’m in the process of taking down the website, they’ve left me with no option.
“The Data Commission has caused me more sleepless nights than the criminals that broke in.
“All I was trying to be was a good citizen but it appears the criminals have more rights than the victims.
“They are saying it’s the law but the Justice Minister must do something because this is simply crazy.
“The burglars broke into my house and now I’m afraid the Data Protection Office will come into my home to take my computers.”
Joe Duffy’s Liveline was inundated with calls supporting Robert. The technology expert first spoke on the show last Thursday.
But on Wednesday he revealed that less than two hours later the Data Protection Commissioner sent him an email warning him he was breaking the law.
It stated: “This office views a photograph or image of an individual as personal data. In accordance with the Data Protection Acts 1988 & 2003, a data controller can only process the personal data of an individual with their consent.
“The commission or alleged commission of an offence is considered to be sensitive personal data.”
Outraged Robert said he was doing his best to help identify those involved in robberies while it appears the State is trying to protect their privacy. He added: “All I was doing was trying to help gardai.
“On the videos posted there can be no doubt those in the footage are involved in criminal acts.
“They are in and around people’s homes in the dead of night and are trying to break in.
“In the UK the police put up videos of crimes that took place and the FBI do the same and have their ‘most wanted’ lists.
“Here we get a couple of videos on Crimecall once a month.”
The Office of the Data Protection Commissioner reiterated its position.
It stated: “Any processing of a personal data must be with the consent of the person or if there is another legal basis laid down in legislation for example by a law enforcement agency such as An Garda Siochana.”
SOURCE-IRISH NEWS
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