Katy Perry Under Investigation for Possible Environmental Damage in New Music Video

Hit-making singer Katy Perry is under fire for her latest song, but unlike her previous single, "Woman's World," the music itself isn't the issue.

On Aug. 13, Spanish authorities announced that an investigation had been launched into the production of Perry's music video for her new single "Lifetimes." According to Billboard, parts of the video were filmed on the protected dunes of S'Espalmador, a picturesque islet in the Balearic Islands off the country's eastern coast. The dunes here are some of the most ecologically significant locations in the Balearics.

The Balearic Islands' Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment shared in a statement that the production company behind the video did not request the proper authorization required before filming the music video. In the clip, Perry is seen dancing on the beach on the dunes in question before taking the fun to the clubs of nearby Ibiza at night.

The issue isn't necessarily with her trespassing in a roped-off area, but that the proper permitting wasn't obtained by the team behind the video. "[The Ministry of] Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment would like to clarify that in no case had the production company requested authorization from the Ministry to carry out the filming, and that is why preliminary investigation actions have been initiated," the government statement read.

"However, in no case would it be a crime for environmental infringement," the statement continued, noting the local natural resources management plan that outlines the procedure for situations like these.

"'The filming of photographic reports, cinematographic, videographic, or of any other kind that involve the taking of images in any medium and format with an advertising or commercial exhibition purpose, requires the express authorization of the competent ministry for the environment, without prejudice to other authorizations that can be granted by the corresponding authorities and bodies, including those pertaining to property rights,'" the law reads.

Perry's new album 143 is out Sept. 20.