Issue: № 12, 2025
Doi: https://doi.org/10.37634/efp.2025.12.14
The interrelationship between legal and socio psychological factors in the realization of the right to privacy in a democratic society and in police activity is examined in the paper. It is stated that the sense of privacy is psychologically ‘sensitive’ and necessary for the awareness of one's own dignity. In the process of performing police functions, human rights and freedoms must be recognised as the highest social values. The police ensure and guarantee their observance, and restrictions must be determined only by law, urgent necessity and proportionality. To this end, Ukraine needs to implement the basic principles defined by the set of legal norms, principles and political goals that regulate the activities of the European Union. Video surveillance in public places may not be considered a violation of privacy if it is conducted openly (with prior warning), has a clear and legitimate purpose (security, law enforcement), is limited in time and place, and does not allow for the arbitrary dissemination or misuse of the data collected. However, when used covertly, excessively or uncontrollably, it constitutes an interference with the right to privacy. European standards for applying the principle of proportionality, the practice of the European Court of Human Rights and the Constitutional Court of Ukraine are based on the assumption that interference with privacy is permissible if: it is provided for by law, pursues a legitimate aim, and is necessary in a democratic society. Privacy is given priority if the state attempts to apply excessive or disproportionate measures (e.g. total video surveillance without restrictions). Security may prevail if there is a real, provable threat to the life or rights of other people (e.g. terrorism, serious crimes, martial law).
Keywords : right to privacy, democracy, policing, psychology, human rights, public safety
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