Image Use Authorization Chile (Derecho a la Imagen)

Image Use Authorization Chile (Autorización de Uso de Imagen) is a legal consent document that grants permission for the capture, reproduction, distribution, and publication of a person's photographic or audiovisual image (fotografía, video, likeness) in specified media and contexts. This authorization operates under Ley 19.628 (Ley sobre protección de la vida privada / protection of personal data) Article 4, which requires express prior consent (consentimiento previo y escrito) before personal data — including images that identify a person — can be processed, stored, or disseminated, and under the Constitución Política de la República Article 19 N.° 4, which protects the right to privacy and personal honor (derecho a la intimidad y honra personal).

The right to one's own image (derecho a la propia imagen) in Chile is a recognized personality right (derecho de la personalidad), derived from the constitutional protection of privacy (intimidad) and honor (honra) under Article 19 N.° 4, and from the general framework of civil liability under Código Civil Articles 2314–2332. The Corte Suprema de Chile and Cortes de Apelaciones have issued numerous rulings — applying the recurso de protección under Constitución Article 20 — protecting individuals from unauthorized use of their images in commercial advertising, social media, press publications, and audiovisual productions.

Ley 19.628 Article 4 categorizes images as personal data (datos personales) when they allow the identification of a natural person (persona natural). Under Article 4, personal data can only be processed with the express written consent of the data subject (titular de los datos), except for the limited exceptions listed in Articles 9 and 10 (public interest, journalistic activity, etc.). The Consejo para la Transparencia (CPLT) and the Agencia de Protección de Datos Personales (created by Ley 21.719 of 2024, which updates Chile's data protection framework substantially) have jurisdiction over complaints involving unauthorized image use in digital contexts.

The new Ley 21.719 of 2024 — which modernizes Chile's personal data protection framework by replacing key provisions of Ley 19.628 and aligning Chile with the GDPR model — explicitly includes biometric and photographic data in the category of sensitive personal data (datos sensibles) when used for identification purposes. Under the Ley 21.719 framework, consent for image processing must be specific (not bundled with general terms of service), informed, free, unambiguous, and verifiable. Data controllers (responsables de datos) must be able to demonstrate that valid consent was obtained — the signed Autorización de Uso de Imagen serves as this consent record.

For commercial uses of images — advertising campaigns (campañas publicitarias), brand ambassadorship, social media content, television commercials, print media, billboards — the authorization document must clearly specify the commercial purpose, the media channels, the geographic scope, and the duration of use. The Asociación de Agencias de Publicidad de Chile (ACHAP) and the Consejo de Autorregulación y Ética Publicitaria (CONAR) have developed industry standards for model releases and image authorization that align with Ley 19.628 and the emerging Ley 21.719 framework.

An Image Use Authorization Chile is required in numerous personal, commercial, and institutional contexts where photographs or videos featuring identifiable individuals will be captured and used beyond the immediate moment.

Commercial advertising and marketing: Businesses, advertising agencies (agencias de publicidad), and marketing companies producing advertising campaigns for television (Canal 13, Mega, TVN, Chilevisión), digital media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok), print (El Mercurio, La Tercera, revistas), and outdoor advertising (vallas publicitarias) must obtain signed image authorizations from all models and participants in advertising content before the campaign runs. The CONAR's Código Chileno de Ética Publicitaria requires documented consent for commercial image use.

Corporate communications and internal use: Companies using employee photographs on internal intranets, corporate directories, team pages, annual reports, press releases, or corporate social media accounts must have written authorization from each employee. The Dirección del Trabajo (DT) has issued guidance that employee consent for image use must be voluntary and separate from the employment contract — it cannot be bundled into the contrato de trabajo as a condition of employment.

Educational and academic contexts: Universities, colegios, and educational institutions photographing or filming students for institutional brochures, websites, social media, or academic publications require parental authorization for minors (under 18) and individual consent from adult students. The Ministerio de Educación (MINEDUC) guidelines for school communications emphasize the importance of explicit image consent.

Media, journalism, and news: While Ley 19.628 Article 9 recognizes an exception for journalistic activity and information of public interest, commercial or editorial uses of photographs beyond the journalistic context require authorization. Sports media, entertainment journalism, and lifestyle publications must obtain model releases for feature photographs.

Social media and influencer content: Content creators, influencers, and social media agencies working with identifiable individuals in sponsored content must obtain written authorization under Ley 19.628 and the Ley 21.719 framework. The Agencia de Protección de Datos Personales monitors digital platforms for unauthorized processing of personal images.

A valid Image Use Authorization Chile under Ley 19.628 Article 4, the Constitución Política Article 19 N.° 4, and the Ley 21.719 of 2024 framework must include the following essential elements:

Identification of the Authorizing Person (Identificación del Autorizante): Full legal name, RUT, nationality, and domicile of the person whose image is being authorized. If the subject is a minor under 18 years, include the parent's or legal guardian's identification and their relationship to the minor, as minors cannot legally grant image authorizations independently. For foreign nationals without RUT, include passport number and nationality.

Identification of the Authorized Party (Identificación del Beneficiario): Full name, RUT (or company RUT for entities), legal address, and representative's name (for companies) of the person, company, or institution receiving authorization to use the image. Under Ley 21.719, this party is the 'responsable del tratamiento de datos' (data controller), who assumes legal responsibility for compliance with data protection obligations.

Scope of Image Authorization (Alcance de la Autorización): A precise description of the images covered — photographs, video recordings, audiovisual content, digital reproductions, illustrations based on the subject's likeness. Specify whether the authorization covers images already taken, future sessions, or both. The more specific the description, the clearer the legal boundary of permitted use.

Purpose of Use (Finalidad del Uso): Clear statement of the purposes for which the image will be used — advertising campaigns (campañas publicitarias), corporate communications, editorial content, social media, educational materials, academic research, documentary production, news coverage, or others. Under Ley 21.719, the purpose limitation principle (principio de finalidad) requires that images are used only for the declared purposes — use for other purposes requires a new or updated authorization.

Media Channels and Distribution (Canales de Distribución): Specification of the media through which the image will be published or distributed — television, print media (El Mercurio, La Tercera, revistas), digital platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok), corporate websites, billboards, internal corporate communications, academic publications, or others. The channel specification limits the scope of permitted distribution.

Geographic Scope (Ámbito Geográfico): Whether the authorization is limited to Chile, covers Latin America, or is worldwide (a nivel mundial). Commercial image use in foreign markets requires express geographic authorization under Ley 21.719.

Duration of Authorization (Vigencia de la Autorización): The period during which the authorized party may use the image — from a specific date to a specific date, for the duration of a campaign, for a fixed number of months or years, or indefinitely. Under Ley 21.719, indefinite authorizations should be reconsidered in light of the data minimization principle; a defined term is best practice.

Commercial Consideration (Contraprestación Económica): Whether the authorization is granted free of charge (a título gratuito) or in exchange for a specified payment or benefit. If payment is involved, include the amount, payment terms, and currency (Chilean pesos — CLP). Professional model releases typically include economic consideration.

Revocation Rights (Derecho de Revocación): A clause confirming the authorizing person's right to withdraw consent at any time under Ley 21.719's updated right of revocation (derecho de revocación del consentimiento), and the process for doing so — written notice to the data controller, with the controller obligated to cease use of the image within a specified period after receiving the revocation notice.

Forms-legal.com provides this Image Use Authorization Chile template as a practical reference document for individuals, businesses, and content creators. For commercial campaigns, the authorization should be reviewed by an abogado experienced in intellectual property and data protection law to ensure compliance with the Ley 21.719 framework and any applicable CONAR advertising standards. Los usuarios de forms-legal.com pueden descargar este documento de forma gratuita en formato PDF o DOCX, completar los campos del formulario guiado y obtener un documento listo para firma.