Data Privacy Concerns Spark Dispute at Benamara Community Pool

BENAMARA – COSTA DEL SOL. A row has erupted in a residential urbanisation in Benamara after residents voiced concerns over alleged violations of data protection laws during routine checks at the community swimming pool.

According to affected residents, lifeguards at the pool have been instructed to ask individuals which property they belong to and write down their names or apartment numbers, often without providing any privacy notice or explanation of how the information will be stored.

The issue has particularly affected those who are not listed as registered property owners — including long-term tenants, family members, or residents on the local padrón (town hall register) — many of whom feel excluded and unprotected by the administration’s handling of their personal data.

One resident told Costa Spain News:

“If the administration refuses to recognise someone as a resident, they have no legal basis to collect their personal data. This is not about refusing rules — it’s about protecting families and privacy under the law.”

Under EU Regulation 2016/679 (GDPR), any data that can identify a person — including property or apartment numbers linked to individuals — must only be collected lawfully, transparently, and with a clear purpose. Communities that fail to inform individuals about how their data is being used could face investigation and sanctions from Spain’s Data Protection Agency (AEPD).

Despite repeated requests, the community’s administration reportedly refused to engage with individuals not listed in their database — prompting threats of formal complaints to the authorities.

This situation reflects a growing challenge across the Costa del Sol, where increased access control at private pools and shared spaces now clashes with the strict legal standards imposed by GDPR.

📍 Do you live in a private urbanisation? Have you had to give personal details at the pool or gym? Let us know.