Posts Tagged 'privacy'

One German Man & Google Street View

Published August 21, 2010 Photographers' Rights 4 Comments
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Photo by Maulbagi

Google doesn’t bow to many people, but the internet becometh is allowing Germans to opt out of Google Street View until September 15. The decision came about as a result of the public’s privacy complaints and a subsequent agreement with the German government.

But, surprisingly, Berlin-based IT consultant Jens Best has decided to take matters into his own hands. Along with a group of 400 volunteers, Best plans to take photos of all the blurred locations and upload them anyway (using the user-generated option). Best doesn’t care if people hate him, he just wants the service to reflect reality, which is that anyone can walk down the street and see the houses, so what’s the difference?

“I’m not taking photos of the living room,” Best said. “I’m not taking photos of your face. I am taking photos in the public sphere.”

Of course Best doesn’t like that a few German cities have even asked Google not to include photos of “fire stations, schools and court houses.” (Which, as we well know, is incredibly short-sighted. Terrorists don’t need photos on Google Street View to plan attacks.)

It’s an interesting stance, for sure; Best is like a one-man crusader for public information. To see Best’s web site for his project, go here.

Article from Reuters

Was L.B. Jeffries Violating Privacy Laws in Rear Window?

Published June 9, 2008 Photographers' Rights 4 Comments
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Image via IMDB

Although the NPRD and this site are dedicated to preserving the rights of photographers as well as educating the public about those rights, we must be impartial, and discuss the other side of this issue — an individual’s right to privacy.

So, was L.B. Jeffries violating privacy laws using a giant telephoto lens to peer inside his neighbors’ apartments in Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window where there was an expectation of privacy? … The answer is YES.

And if you do a quick search on this subject you will quickly find numerous sites and discussions debating this issue. Or just simply type in Andrew Kantor, and you may come across the following PDF explaining a person’s right to privacy.

Whether we can take a photograph is determined by whether the subject has a reasonable expectation of privacy or seclusion. If not — if he’s visible to the public (even on private property) — photography is legal.  The logic is simple: If you can see it, you can photograph it. If it requires extraordinary means to see (e.g., using a telephoto lens, or trespassing on property not open to the public such as a private office), then you may not be able to photograph it legally.

So all of you out there with telephoto lenses, take note. If you would like more information on this subject, there are some links in our Know Your Rights section.

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