New York City considering banning photography on trains, buses

From Dave Farber's "Interesting People" list I just read that the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is considering a proposal that would prohibit photography and videotaping on New York subways, buses and the Staten Island Railway.

Here's a summary: "In order to further enhance passenger security and safety, photography and videotaping would be prohibited except for members of the press holding valid identification cards issued by the New York City Police Department or where written authorization has been provided by NYCT. [Section 1050.9(c)]."

Here's the exact wording in Section 1050.9, under consideration: "No photograph, film or video recording shall be made or taken on or in any conveyance or facility by any person, except members of the press holding valid press identification cards issued by the New York City Police Department or by others duly authorized in writing to engage in such activity by the authority."

This isn't any specific wording about camera phones, but I assume that's certainly included. I wonder if tourists taking innocent photos of themselves riding the subway, for example, would be fined or jailed.

Sorry state of affairs

This is one of several proposals on a variety of subjects that's under consideration for changing the "Rules of Conduct." The MTA is seeking comments from the public.

What a sorry state of affairs. I've been traveling around the United States and around the world for more than 30 years. I've always been proud that in America we are allowed to photograph virtually whatever we want (with some exceptions, of course). But

But we've never had the draconian prohibitions many other countries implemented against photographing monuments, government buildings and other locations. Times are changing, and not for the better.

Comments

[tychocat]

I simply don't understand what the MTA is guarding me against - I'm in a public place, implicitly open for public view. Perhaps their next step will be call upon God to strike everyone blind, since the mere fact that someone else might *look* at me is apparently cause for concern.

Perhaps the MTA is concerned for their facilities and equipment, fearing Osama bin Laden is taking clandestine photos of the apparently top-secret buses and subway cars?

[Dax Carand]

Security is one thing but limiting freedom of speech (technically photography can be put under that paragraph too) or capturing these special moments as a photographer or as a tourist is another.

With the new technologies as PDA cameras and cameraphones it is also near impossible to ban it. Are they going to probe anyone on those items too? Or are they going install devices to block the use of cameraphones? Technically that is possible but I don't see the NYPD and other services checking everybody on the subway on carrying these items?

Other technologies such as Cameracarryig glasses and shades are easy to come by. Draconian yes exactly, but effective? In no way. In a year or two maybe we will get systems such as in the UK that can check on facial and body characteristics, will they be implemented too? within a decade our society will change into one where checking your neighbours, colleagues, family is normal. I am a security consultant myself and I forsee more terrorist attacks even though we put all these new measures in place.
Remember the black plague infected cadavres of cows and lifestock in the medieval times that were catapulted over the walls, to not only scare the community within the castles walls but also effectively render them inactive due to the illness they carried? For every solution there is a counter solution. There are other ways to counter this danger. Hope some intelligent people will come up with better and more effective ways to monitor the transport system.