GDPR and License Plates: Can Your Car's Number Be Publicly Shared Online?

Bucharest, Romania – A recent podcast episode featuring a GDPR specialist delved into the contentious issue of publicly sharing car license plates online, particularly concerning vehicles parked improperly. The discussion highlighted the legal implications under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and offered guidance on appropriate actions. The expert clarified that car license plates are considered personal data. Therefore, their publication online, even in groups dedicated to shaming bad parking, should be done with caution. "The number plate's purpose is to identify the car in traffic, not on Facebook," stated the specialist, emphasizing that such images, if shared, should have the license plate blurred to protect privacy. The podcast addressed the common practice of online groups where citizens post photos of poorly parked cars. While acknowledging the public interest in addressing such issues, the specialist underscored that individuals do not possess the legal authority to penalize offenders through public exposure. Instead, the appropriate course of action for concerned citizens is to report violations directly to the competent authorities, such as local or national police. "If you are truly a citizen concerned about wrongdoers paying, you take that image to the police," the expert advised, pointing out that enforcement falls under the jurisdiction of official bodies. This approach ensures that legal processes are followed and individuals' data rights are respected.