Lopez Ribalda & Ors v Spain (Applications nos. 1874/13 and 8567/13)

This was a case before the ECtHR and the applicants were all workers in supermarket chain. After the employer noticed irregularities between stock levels and what was actually sold daily, surveillance cameras were installed to address suspected theft. The workers were told about the store’s visible cameras but not others which had been covertly located. After admitting their guilt several workers were dismissed with reliance on covert images. The workers alleged breach of Article 8 and data protection rights.

At first instance, the Spanish court upheld the dismissals and found the security measures to be justified, appropriate, necessary and proportionate. Further, it considered that no