My friends takes random pictures of people on his cell phone...is this ethical?

Question

I have a really good friend who finally got 'with the times' and purchased a cell phone with a camera.

He is quite happy with his purchase and has felt the need to get the most out of his investment by using the camera as much as he can...

Well, he has just been snapping random pictures of people everywhere he goes (NO, THEY ARE NOT SEXUAL)...just random shots. (These people are NOT aware the pictures are being taken)

He takes them, saves them to his PC and forwards them onto his friends.

Just today, I received pictures of the woman at the post office, the baker and some random person behind him in line.

He tells me he 'pretends' to check his phone when he is snapping these pictures.

I've told him its wrong and to stop immedietly, but he continues...how should I handle this?

Answer 1

If these people are out in public, it is perfectly legal to take pictures of them.

Answer 2

While it's a peculiar hobby, he's not doing anything wrong or unethical, especially since the content of the images is not questionable/sexual. He doesn't have the right to publish the photos publicly, but there's nothing wrong with sending them to his friends. Federal law states that people have "no reasonable expectation of privacy" when in public places, so there is no privacy issue here at all. If you don't like the images, then just ask him to refrain from sending them to you. But, it's wrong to try to convince him to stop if he doesn't want to. Nobody is being hurt. No laws are being broken. Just let it be. He'll probably tire of it soon anyway. Good luck!

Answer 3

No more or less ethical than photographers who use traditional cameras. This sort of shooting is pretty common that way.

However, because of the instantaneous distribution that's possible on a cell phone, your friend is obligated to not use that feature - take the shots, but save them for himself, and he needs to know that he can't exhibit them - and I would say can't distribute them - without the permission of the people who are identifiable in the pics.

Good question, it's a brave new world for photography now.

Answer 4

if the novelty doesn't wear off in a couple days - say a week - and so long as the pictures remain innocent - I'd say you must confront him on a serious level. Tell him that, random or not, it's still a breech of people's privacy to take their picture without their knowing. At the very best it's rude - at the very worst - he's liable to have a lawsuit on his hands.

Answer 5

Once you leave your house you lose most of your right to privacy.

Ethical, maybe not.

In this day and age you are on film and digital records just about everywhere you go; doesn't make it right, just the way it is.

Just as long as he isn't taking those silly upskirt pictures, He is no different than lots of folks out in the world who use their phones to take random pictures.

Personally I think it is wrong to take someone's photo w/o their consent but I am apparently in the minority on this issue.

Answer 6

Thats like saying is ethical to have cameras in some changing rooms ( and yes some do!), or a security camera, or cameras on walls and on streets corners. Its likely to happen bigbrother will take over the world. I dont see anything wrong its his camera as long as he doesn't invade there privacy or post sexual pictures w/o permission, I dont see why not!

Answer 7

Taking photos of unknowing people and forwarding them around the internet is a serious breach of ethics.

Depending on whom he is photographing, it could be illegal. Any pic of a minor could be misconstrued. This is invading peoples privacy. If he wants to take pics so badly, he should photograph nature or himself or people he knows who KNOW he is taking photos.

Your friend clearly has no concept of right and wrong. I wouldn't hang out with him wearing or doing anything you don't want others to see!

Answer 8

As creepy as that is
your friends really
not hurting anyone
even if he is kind of a
(whispers) weirdo
as long as the pictures are
decent i wouldnt completely
freak out
some people are just like that
although the sending it 2 you and others is
pretty strange....i dont kno what 2 say
you kno ur friend better than any of us.

Answer 9

There is no legal expectation of privacy when in public. Therefore, he is free to take pictures of people w/o their permission. He may not use them commercially w/o thier consent, however.
He may get his azz beat one day.

Answer 10

I think that he is at risk of being sued. There are laws about privacy and he is violating them. There are also laws about taking pictures of children without the parents permission.

On a side note - I think he's an idiot LOL