The debate on privacy has reopened following a viral TikTok video that showed fragments of a supposed conversation with footballer Vinicius Jr. Lawyer Xavi Abad emphasizes that the dissemination of private content without permission, even if one is part of the conversation, is illegal.
“"This can be a crime of revealing secrets."
Abad reminds that Article 197 of the Spanish Penal Code punishes the revelation of secrets with prison sentences ranging from one to four years. This crime does not require 'hacking', but merely publication without the express consent of the other party.
“"It is a crime that not only punishes the one who intercepts a communication, but also the one who publishes it, even if they are part of it."
The right to intimacy, recognized in the Constitution, applies to everyone, not just public figures. Forwarding private messages or taking screenshots in WhatsApp groups or other platforms without permission can also have legal consequences. The warning extends to those who viralize the content, as disseminating a crime can also be considered a crime.
The lawyer's final message is forceful: publishing private conversations without permission can be very costly, even if done for 'likes' or fame, since "social networks are not a lawless jungle".
