Law on filming public

[Yai]

You often see items on the news where an outside reporter is standing in a shopping centre or busy high street with loads of people walking behind / past them and being caught on the camera. Are the producers allowed to do this without each person's permission? What if they film someone who's on a witness protection programme, and it then gets broadcast across the country? I'm always worried about being filmed when I'm shopping in our city, as it's so busy you wouldn't really notice a film crew. If you asked them not to show any bits with you in, would they have to oblige? Could you sue them if they showed you without your permission?

[spainlads]

If you're in a public place anyone can film you or take a photo. They don't need your permission.

[The Tiggster]

Interesting question - I work for a local authority & we've been told to always get a signature from anyone who's face may appear in any of our publications/websites. I would have thought that would go for camera crews too. I'll keep an eye on your question to see if anyone from the legal world can answer.

[bobbyx]

Just what have you been up to Yai Mon, that makes you so worried? - Anyway usually, passers-by in-shot are not 'blurred out' but public who have been featured in a programme e.g. 'Jackass' have to give permission for their faces to be shown: Those who don't are blurred out. however, the laws on this subject will, undoubtedly be different in each country.

[Max1234]

Is video covered by the data protection act?  As I would see this as digital storage of you and possible personal details.

I just had a sitauation when a crew were filming people buying items from a reatil outlet and as part of that the video the scanning of my credit card, which I was not happy about.  What can I do about this?

M