Metro PCS hires expert for camera phone etiquette tips

The San Francisco Examiner's P.J. Cookery reports that Metro PCS has contracted with Lisa Grotts, "a New Age etiquette expert...to develop a list of do's and don'ts for camera-phone users."

Guess what one of her recommendations is about? Hint: Take a look at the posting I wrote.

Here's the recommendation, as the Examiner reports, "One of her diktats for the digital age: 'Don't take pictures of people's rear ends randomly on the street.' Always ask permission...."

I wonder if Mobile Asses will link to those recommendations, assuming they're public.

Comments

[Melanie]

People should not be taking other people's photos without their permission, regardless of whether or not they are in a public space.

A persons image is a very personal thing. It is disempowering to know that someone has your image in their possession and that they can do whatever they want with it. This situation is occuring much more now that every person, nomatter how uneducated and irresponsible, has ready access to camera.

The argument raised about people being in public spaces may be legally valid but it is pretty stupid. Most people need to go into public spaces inorder to perform everyday tasks such as shopping and going to work, there is really very little choice involved. Also, when no photos are taken your ass in the public domain for a limited amount of time, once a photo has been taken people can stare at it and share it around for as long as they wish.

People don't stop at asses. Many people take photos of people with some distinguishing physical features, including those with disfigurements or deformitites. It is rude and irresposible and is actually harrassment.

Manners are important and were created for a reason. They are a mode of public conduct that allow people to communicate more effectively with eachother and help avoid conflict. Technology is changing, manners need to change with it. As futile as i believe Metro's actions to be, it is a step in the right direction.

[DiskoDan]

Awesome site! And I would have to agree with you about MobileAsses :)

[Tychocat]

I have to say, the legality of banning things like Mobile Asses bothers me. Mind you, I understand the underlying concept that I wouldn't want my butt to be posted on the Internet. However, the esthetics aside - the photos appear to be generally taken out in the open in public areas, indicating an implicit consent to being seen in public; if you did not want to be seen looking like that, obviously you shouldn't have gone out dressed like that. I agree that people should have control over the use of their image or likeness, but in these cases the photos aren't that recognizable since all you see are their butts. And is publishing on the Internet any legally different from, say, publishing a book of upskirt photos? Because the photos are only of butts, it's hard for me to argue any privacy issues exists since I'd be hard-pressed to identify anyone from the pictures.