Public exposure of suspects grows in popularity

In English-speaking countries, the practice of publicly exposing individuals suspected of wrongdoing, often called "name and shame," is becoming more common. This approach involves revealing a person's identity to hold them accountable or prevent further misconduct, but it has sparked debates about privacy and fairness.

Canadian merchants use social media to identify suspects

In Canada, some merchants have started broadcasting images of people they suspect of theft on social media. This tactic aims to identify the individuals or discourage future incidents. However, this practice has raised concerns, leading to legal action in 2015 when the Canadian Privacy Commissioner ordered a store to remove such images without consent.

French merchants face similar legal and ethical concerns

In France, merchants are also using video surveillance and online communities to identify suspected thieves. They sometimes issue ultimatums for the return of stolen items or payment. According to Me Marc Gallix, a criminal lawyer in Montpellier, simply suspecting someone is not enough justification for public exposure, as it can lead to legal issues if the person is not proven guilty.

A viral case highlights image rights issues

In Agde, a couple was accused of stealing two bottles of Ruinart champagne, with surveillance footage of them being shared online without blurring. The video, posted on the Instagram account Ras-le-Vol, was viewed over a million times and highlighted concerns about the right to one's image and personal data. The incident was reported by La Dépêche du Midi on August 7.

Legal experts warn of potential defamation risks

Me Marc Gallix points out that even if a merchant has video evidence, broadcasting it publicly can lead to defamation claims. While truth or good faith may serve as defenses in some cases, these do not fully resolve the legal and ethical questions surrounding the use of personal images and data without consent.