Data Protection Office Urges Respect for Privacy of Kraków Attack Victims and Their Families
Poland’s Office for Personal Data Protection (UODO) on Monday urged respect for the privacy of victims and their families following the attack in Kraków. It reminded the public of the need to anonymize the images of victims, witnesses and bystanders, particularly children.
Office representatives noted that respecting the privacy of victims and their loved ones helps limit the risk of additional harm and suffering, as well as unnecessary media exposure and disinformation. Anonymizing the images of victims, witnesses and bystanders, particularly children, is an expression of respect for their dignity, privacy and right to the protection of personal data, they stressed.
“The UODO president appeals to everyone to follow such basic principles, especially at this particular time. In these difficult moments, solidarity with those affected by the tragedy, with the families and loved ones of the victims, and responsibility for words and images are especially needed,” the statement said.
The UODO president, together with deputies and staff, paid tribute to the victims of the attack and expressed appreciation to the police officers who took part in the tragic events.
“We offer our deepest condolences to all those affected by this terrible attack. Our thoughts are with the injured, and we wish them strength and a swift recovery,” Office representatives wrote.
They also pointed to the responsible approach of those media representatives who, in reporting on the events in Kraków, take care to protect the privacy of people affected by the tragedy.
The attack took place Saturday on the Main Square (Rynek Główny) in Kraków. Michał Oksiński, 24, drove a car onto the square and then opened fire with an automatic weapon at random people. Six people were killed and 16 were injured, including two police officers and the attacker, who died in the hospital early Monday. In the apartment of the attacker’s family in Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski, police found the bodies of three members of his immediate family: his parents and his sister. (PAP)
