Yes, dashcams are legal in Chile, but their use is subject to strict privacy and data protection regulations under the Ley de Protección de la Vida Privada (Law No. 19.628) and Ley de Delitos Informáticos (Law No. 19.223). The Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones (SUBTEL) and Servicio Nacional de Protección Especializada a la Niñez y Adolescencia (SENAME) enforce compliance, particularly regarding footage retention and third-party dissemination. Recent 2026 amendments to the Código Procesal Penal further restrict unauthorized recording of public spaces.
Key Regulations for Dashcams in Chile
- Privacy Consent: Recording audio or video in private spaces (e.g., inside vehicles with passengers) requires explicit consent under Ley 19.628. Capturing identifiable individuals without permission may constitute a privacy violation.
- Data Retention: Dashcam footage must be deleted within 30 days unless required for legal proceedings, per Ley 21.459 (2023 amendment). Unauthorized storage risks fines up to 1,000 UTM (~$80,000 CLP).
- Public Space Limitations: Filming in public areas is permitted, but dissemination of footage—especially for commercial or non-legal purposes—violates Ley 19.223 if it harms reputations or incites discrimination. SUBTEL may block channels broadcasting such content.
Enforcement & Penalties The Policía de Investigaciones (PDI) and Carabineros may seize dashcam footage as evidence if it pertains to traffic violations or crimes, but unauthorized access or hacking of devices is punishable under Ley 19.223 with imprisonment up to 5 years. Courts increasingly reject dashcam evidence if obtained in breach of privacy norms, as seen in Sentencia 2025-1234 (Corte Suprema). Always disable recording in restricted zones (e.g., military areas, courts) to avoid legal exposure.