The Local Police of Puerto Real (Cádiz) has sanctioned a neighbor for a Facebook comment, as indicated by the Diario de Cádiz. It all started when a user published a post in which he recounted a brawl between young minors. “We have called the Local Police giving information about the fight and the Local Police have arrived an hour later when the children had already gone with their parents to report. This is shameful,” he said..

The sanctioned user responded to the publication like this: “Then the locals put medals on their Facebook doing nothing, but for these things kakita. It's not a new thing”. This has been the comment that has served the Police to proceed with the sanction and they did not hesitate to respond to the citizen through the official profile of the Local Police of Puerto Real on Facebook. “Hello, RA, we don't wear medals or kakita as you say. The act of infraction will be completed (LO 4/2015 of Protection of Citizen Security). If you want a copy, go to the Local Police Headquarters”.

This law, popularly known as the Gag Law, states that in its article 37.4 as a minor infraction “lack of respect and consideration whose addressee is a member of the Security Forces and Bodies in the exercise of their security protection functions, when these conducts do not constitute a criminal offence”. Likewise, it details that “minor infractions will be sanctioned with a fine of 100 to 600 euros”. The person involved has decided to share the message from the Police again, defending his freedom of expression and adding: “I won't say more, lest Franco get up”.

Mechanisms to identify fake profiles

Likewise, although the comments hide behind false profiles or others in which the user cannot be clearly identified, there are mechanisms to identify them, such as the IP address, a unique address that is assigned to each device connected to the Internet, including computers or mobile devices

As expected, the post has caused controversy and there have been many reactions from users who have joined the comments.. “What we call freedom of expression is sometimes not, because disrespecting a person or authority, regardless of the means used, is a crime. But don't worry, if you think you have not committed an infraction, you can appeal it,” said one user.. “In the middle of 2023 we have the Gag Law in force, rappers in jail (like Pablo Hazel) for telling the truth about a corrupt monarchy or security forces making “hot” returns and shooting at the fence of Melilla. Unfortunately, this is not surprising”, “Because they have to answer all the criticism, they are going to have to hire staff for 3 shifts”, have been some of the responses.