More countries to worry about - photo laws

[GaryLH]

http://petapixel.com/2014/09/03/the-philippines-is-looking-to-implement-an-anti-selfie-law/

I hope this one does not pass.. It is too bad that none of these laws are similar. This looks to be the worst variation I have ever heard about.

I guess from now on I will have to check the laws on photography when I visit a foreign country.... 🙁

Gary

 

[kbg32]

This could eventually end the genre of "street photography" if more countries pass laws such as these.

 

[robert blu]

It's a difficult world ! I am not able to make further comments! But making difficult or "illegal" to shoot selfies would cause among others problems to mob phone companies, hopefully they will react to defend their business!
robert

 

[Vics]

"All we have to fear is fear, itself!" FDR
Now it's the fear of being photographed. Meanwhile, starlets in the US are shocked, shocked when someone posts the photo- that the celeb POSED FOR- on the web. Not-so-brave new world.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I hope they applied this in Hungary and going to apply it in Philippines in full mode.
No news and sport broadcasts, no concerts, not a single frame on TV where it will be strangers images of whom it was taking without permission.

It will help people in these countries to realize much quicker, what they have elected.

 

[hepcat]

No news and sport broadcasts, no concerts, not a single frame on TV where it will be strangers images of whom it was taking without permission.

Hmmm.... think about that for a moment.... I'm beginning to think that a world without sports broadcasts, news broadcasts, and not a single frame on TV where strangers images are shown may not be such a bad world to live in. Do we really need TV anyway?

 

[x-ray]

What triggers legislation like this? I've done my share of street photography and hate to see it. No more tourist pix too I guess. Are the going to arrest tourists and fill the jails?


Like I said, I've done my share but on the flip side I've seen several street photographers being a pain in the ass to folks. I've watched them stalking their prey. That's unnerving to people. Ok I know it's our rights but something had triggered this reaction so is it the PITA street shooter or celebs complaining. It's coming from somewhere.

The good side is it's impossible to enforce. The jails aren't big enough and there aren't enough cops. Just don't be a PITA to anyone.

(Pita- pain in the ass)

 

[x-ray]

I guess security cameras will be banned 🙂

 

[cz23]

This reads like a sensationalist web article. Who takes a selfie "with the intent to gain or profit therefrom." I don't see the big issue here. Although "intent to gain" seems awfully vague for a law.

John

 

[Spanik]

That just mean you can't even go as a tourist to Hungary! Obviously they tought very hard about this.

 

[Darthfeeble]

The next logical step will be that we can't LOOK at other people.

 

[Paul Jenkin]

Assuming most of us are amateurs and have no intent to "gain or profit" (whether monetarily or otherwise), there should be little, if anything, to fear.

When I travel on holiday, I ask permission to photograph someone if they're at close quarters. Seldom, other than in Morocco, have people declined or become aggressive. For the most part, in very poor countries, some see itas a way of getting a few pennies for their time. Therefore, if governments impose such laws in a draconian fashion, they are actually going to deny some of their poorest citizens the chance to get a little extra money. Some of us might even not go to that country to avoid the potential hassle - so the country loses tourist income.

Sheer genius. Politicians need to concentrate on the serious stuff not the frivolous.

 

[Keith]

I can see this sort of thing escalating in the horribly over regulated society we seem to be becoming.

All for our own good of course! 🙄

 

[jsrockit]

No news and sport broadcasts, no concerts, not a single frame on TV where it will be strangers images of whom it was taking without permission.

Oh no, it'll only affect the individual, not corporations. 😀

 

[mfunnell]

Assuming most of us are amateurs and have no intent to "gain [my emphasis] or profit" (whether monetarily or otherwise), there should be little, if anything, to fear.

I'm guessing you have had very few dealings with the law. In the hands of a skilled (or, in this case, semi-skilled) advocate, the mere fact of taking a photograph means that "you gain" in the "otherwise" sense, if only because you have now gained a photograph. If they can show that you intended to take said photograph you have now gained in that otherwise case and, m'Lord, I now rest my case...

...Mike

 

[NY_Dan]

Intent to profit - hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!! That's funny. I hope these laws (as long as they include "with intent to profit") all pass. All I have to do then is bring my a copy of my annual tax return and the officials will see there ain't no profits. In fact, they might hand me a cup to solicit contributions from the people in my photos. I can't even give away free eBooks! 🙂

I'm giving even money this thread will hit 5K views in less than 3 days.

 

[mfunnell]

Intent to profit - hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Absolutely correct - except see my point, above, if the phrasing is "to gain or profit". "Gain" does not require "profit".

...Mike

 

[maddoc]

Given the ranking as second dangerous country in the world for journalists (according to news. msn.com) I would assume the intention of this law is to prevent the general public from taking photos as effective as possible to keep certain things covered. Just an assumption of course ...

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

 

[bucs]

We are staunchly against this. As far as we know this is being used by politicians for protection. We are in a country with corrupt leaders and every so often they come with ways to stifle the democracy. As you may have read the provisions are very general and broad that it can actually be abused. Heck, our freedom of information bill ( for transparency in the govt) is taking ages to be passed but laws like this are expedited as if its the most pressing issue we have.

And it irritates us knowing we are so mired in poverty and other problems yet our lawmakers busy themselves with these kinds of laws.

Nathan from the PHL

 

[wblynch]

Amazingly stupid. Cameras are so small now you can hide it in a shirt button. Take pictures anywhere, anytime and no one will know.