Rules, rules, rules

Rules, rules, rules

: Steve Rubel points us to a bit of silly PR spinning by the consumer electronics industry, trying to get ahead of whining about cameraphones by putting out a list of rules for camera phone use. As far as I know, nobody asked them. And it’s not exactly as if they’re enforceable: Break this rule and a flack will bug you.

4. Camera phones should not be used to take photos of individuals without their knowledge and consent.

Well, no, not in a public place. If you see, for example, a cop doing something wrong or a public employee lollygagging, you don’t need to go up and ask their permission before taking their picture and distributing it — anymore than a news photographer would.