Coomax supplies discreet audio, video and communication equipment. Everything we sell is legal to own and to buy within the European Union. Whether a particular use is lawful depends on three things: who is recording, who is being recorded, and where.

One question settles most cases

Are you protecting your own space, your own property, or taking part in the conversation yourself? Then your use is very likely lawful. Are you capturing other people in their private sphere, without their knowledge, while not taking part? Then it very likely is not — no matter how reasonable the reason feels.

Audio: are you part of the conversation?

Recording a conversation you are taking part in is treated very differently from recording one you are not. In Spain, where we ship from, recording conversations between other people without participating falls under Article 197 of the Criminal Code. Publishing or circulating a recording afterwards is a separate question again, and can affect the privacy and reputation of everyone in it.

Images and video

You may record your own property. You may not point a camera at the public street, at shared access areas, or at a neighbour’s property beyond what is strictly necessary. In places where people reasonably expect privacy — bathrooms, changing rooms, someone else’s bedroom — recording is unlawful in any circumstances.

In the workplace

Employers can monitor, but only under conditions: staff and their representatives must be informed in advance, the measure must be proportionate, and cameras or microphones are not permitted in rest areas. In Spain this is set out in Article 89 of Organic Law 3/2018. Most EU countries apply a comparable test.

Location trackers

You may track a vehicle you own or one in your own fleet, informing whoever drives it. Attaching a tracker to someone else’s car to follow their movements is an intrusion into their private life and can carry criminal consequences — including between spouses.

Earpieces and examinations

Discreet earpieces are used in broadcasting, theatre, interpreting, close protection, events and training. Some buyers use them in exams. We do not recommend it. Each institution sets its own rules on electronic devices during tests, and breaking them can void the exam or bring sanctions. We neither promote nor support exam fraud.

What we do not sell

We do not sell signal jammers. Devices that block mobile, Wi-Fi or GPS signals interfere with the radio spectrum, which is a regulated and reserved resource; private individuals may not operate them in Spain or in most of the EU.

Your country may differ

The rules above describe the EU framework and the Spanish specifics that apply to us as the seller. National law varies considerably — on consent to recording, on workplace monitoring and on the use of covert devices. If you are buying from outside Spain, check what applies where you are before you use the product.

Responsibility

The buyer decides how the product is used and accepts responsibility for that use. Coomax is not liable for misuse or for use contrary to applicable law.

Not sure whether your situation is covered? Write to us and we will tell you what we know. Where money or rights are at stake, take proper legal advice.