A recent case in Alicante has drawn attention to an intimate breach of privacy involving a restaurant worker. A 26-year-old waiter stands accused after authorities say he used a concealed mobile device to secretly film a female customer inside a restaurant restroom. The phone was hidden behind a plastic component near the toilet, and the recording carried on for several minutes before the customer noticed odd illumination and investigated the area.
The incident occurred inside a restaurant in Alicante’s Northern District, where the victim was a steady guest. Police statements indicate that the customer had requested permission to use the staff restrooms. The employee apologized, claiming that the restrooms needed cleaning following an incident and that she should wait briefly.
During this pause, the worker reportedly entered the restroom and, without the customer’s knowledge, activated the covert device to capture video. When the customer rose from the sink area, a flash revealed the hidden phone, which she then discovered tucked behind a plastic fixture near the restroom zone.
Feeling embarrassed and unsettled, the customer retrieved the device and confirmed that it had been recording for several minutes. She immediately blocked the camera and proceeded to the Alicante Northern Regional Police Station to report the incident, handing over the phone as evidence for investigators.
TC corrects Supreme Court and rules that hidden camera violates privacy
The Technological Crimes Group of the Alicante Provincial Judicial Police Brigade verified that the device belonged to the restaurant employee. He was detained on suspicion of violating privacy protections and basic decency in public spaces.
Law enforcement teams retrieved the video from the phone, illustrating the act inside the restroom. At the opening portion of the recording, the waiter is shown placing the device in the women’s restroom and proceeding to capture footage without consent.
Following the discovery, national police moved the waiter into custody, presenting him to the court for further proceedings. The investigation focused on the bathroom footage and the security lapse it revealed, highlighting how easily private moments can be exposed without safeguards.
Experts in privacy and digital security note that restroom surveillance without consent constitutes a serious violation of personal rights. The case underscores the need for clearly defined policies in workplaces and for robust physical security to prevent hidden recording devices from going undetected in sensitive spaces.
Observers emphasize that discussions around privacy protections are essential for both customers and staff. Courts have made it clear that secretly recording in private or semi-private spaces, such as restrooms or changing areas, is a breach of trust and a direct violation of privacy rights. The outcome of this case is expected to influence similar investigations and reinforce the standards that businesses must uphold to safeguard patron dignity and safety.
In the broader context, authorities remind business owners and employees to be vigilant about device placement and to maintain a culture of respect and accountability. Vigilance, combined with clear reporting channels and routine checks of facilities, can prevent such invasions of privacy from occurring. The Alicante case serves as a reminder that even casual, everyday settings can become scenes where personal boundaries are crossed when technology is misused.