Yes, hidden cameras in private homes are legal in Chile under strict conditions.
The use of hidden cameras in your residence is permitted if they do not infringe on others’ privacy rights or violate Chile’s Ley 19.628 (Data Protection Law) and Código Penal (Penal Code). Recording within your home is lawful, but capturing audio or video of others without consent in shared or private spaces outside your domicile may constitute an offense. The Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones (SUBTEL) and Servicio Nacional del Consumidor (SERNAC) enforce compliance, particularly with the 2024 amendments to Ley 21.663, which tighten penalties for unauthorized surveillance.
Key Regulations for Hidden Cameras in Your Home in Chile
- Consent Requirement: Recording audio or video of individuals in shared spaces (e.g., hallways, common areas) without explicit consent violates Artículo 14 de la Ley 19.628. Exceptions apply only if the recording is for personal security and does not capture third-party communications.
- Data Retention Limits: Any footage must be deleted within 30 days unless used as evidence in legal proceedings, per Artículo 20 de la Ley 21.663. Unauthorized retention risks fines up to 5,000 UTM (~$450,000 CLP).
- Public vs. Private Spaces: Cameras in private areas (e.g., bedrooms, bathrooms) are lawful, but placing them in areas where others have a reasonable expectation of privacy (e.g., guest rooms) may trigger civil liability under Artículo 154 del Código Penal (violation of domicile).