When the Beeping Stops: Protective Wristbands on Mallorca Under Criticism

When the Beeping Stops, a Lot Is at Stake

Last week, at the Plaza of Campos, I spoke with a woman who has been leaving her house for months with a lump in her throat. "You don't get used to a device that should protect you failing," she said, as the wind blew plastic bags over the market. This is no longer an isolated case: more and more people affected on the Balearic Islands report that the so-called Viogen wristbands respond incorrectly or not at all.

An Alleged Offender Relies on Technology

In a current case, a defendant claims the electronic ankle monitor produced false alarms and was responsible for inconsistencies in the evidence. Critics see this as an attempt to bypass criminal liability. The timing is sensitive: reports of malfunctions emerged just before a third trial against the man. If independent tests indeed prove defects, central arguments of the prosecution could be undermined.

Reports of False Alarms, Incorrect Locations, and Delayed Signals

Several women describe similar problems: alarms that trigger too late, location data that differs by kilometers, or signal tones that fail to sound altogether. Affected woman said her alert system showed her far outside her home one evening, even though she was at home. Such deviations are not just technical glitches — they are psychologically burdensome and legally tricky.

On the Balearic Islands there are only a limited number of devices available. About 90 wristbands for a region with a high rate of gender-based violence seems far from enough to many experts. If the system is the only tangible evidence, a failure could have serious consequences.

Politics, Justice, and the Bitter Reality

The Ministry of Justice has admitted that a device change in early 2025 did not go smoothly. Politicians in Madrid have exchanged verbal jabs, and victim groups speak of a risk to daily life. Some perpetrators apparently react simply to the fact that the technology is not reliable: Provocations circulating on social networks show how vulnerable the system is.

Technology can help — but it must not be the only protective measure. Jurists and lawyers therefore demand independent expert reports, more devices, regular maintenance, and above all human oversight: police forces, social workers, functioning emergency lines. A beep is no substitute for readiness to act.

What Is Needed Now

In the short term, there is a need for transparent testing of the affected systems and rapid fixes. In the mid term, authorities should invest in technology, staff, and alternative solutions. For the women on the island, the simple, sad conclusion remains: as long as alarm devices can fail, they do not feel safe. And those who experience this do not simply rely on the beeping of a wristband.

I will continue to follow developments and in the coming weeks speak with affected women, lawyers, and authorities. It is not only about technology — it is about trust and real safety on Mallorca's streets and in their homes.