Measures taken to ward off picture phone abuse

In an interesting article on picture phone abuse, The Japan Times issues a warning on the ubiquitous and popular camera phones. Perverts taking snapshots and posting them on the Internet instantly aren't the only illicit use to worry about; the phones can be used for other forms of privacy invasion as well as copyright infringements.

As media coverage on this issue is on the increase, raising general awareness, mobile phone companies on their end are trying to do something about it and are unanimous in their position that users of their products should have a sense of conscience and morals, and include such printed guidelines with their packaged phones.

Some companies such as J-Phone Co. -- who debuted the first cell phone capable of taking and transmitting photos in November 2000 --, are developping models that will make it harder to take someone's picture and go unnoticed:

-- Some models have been made to emit a sound when the shutter is released to let other people know when a photo has been taken.

-- Some cell phones also emit light when the shutter is pressed.

-- Others feature a lens cover to reassure people that they are not being photographed when the phone is being used.

emily | 11:59 AM | Privacy Concerns |
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