This is were you draw the line. Taking pictures of people without their consent (and a good reason) is a big no-no in most parts of the world.
This is either because it's not considered appropriate or because it's condemnable [1] or both.
It is also nothing new and not some effect of GDPR, but deeply rooted in culture. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy long had strong laws regarding the right of persons to their own likeness. There is also a big rift, not only legally but primarily culturally, between Anglo-Saxon culture and mostly the rest of the world.
GDPR and other laws concerning informational self-determination[2] never can be interpreted without context. They are always limited by other rights and freedoms, like the right of artistic freedom. So a lot depends on your intent and if you can justify what you do.
I'm not saying this is all well and good. As kind of a street photographer wannabe I'm very sympathetic to the position that the UK and the USA take on this. I'm just saying that the rest of the world has very different ideas about this and this has consequences if you operate globally.
The link you referenced counters your point that its a big no-no in most parts of the world to take a photo of someone without their consent. In the majority of the countries listed on that wiki page no consent is required with certain exceptions.
I'd personally say taking pictures of people without their consent is a big no-no in some parts of the world, but not all.
I have never personally had any issues with my street photography in the UK, it boils down to being respectful and not behaving in a harassing manor. If there is a reasonable expectation of privacy then one should consider taking an unsolicited photo as an invasion of privacy.
> The link you referenced counters your point that its a big no-no in most parts of the world to take a photo of someone without their consent. In the majority of the countries listed on that wiki page no consent is required with certain exceptions.
I added the reference to the list as support for my thesis that it can have legal consequences, a fact that in my experience people from the USA or the UK are often oblivious about. Just because it is not forbidden doesn't mean it is acceptable though.
I think it is no coincidence that we see strictest regulation in central Europe because these countries are around the border line between the different attitudes. Go farther east and there is no need to regulate the culturally obvious.
> I have never personally had any issues with my street photography in the UK,
Of course not, UK is one of the best countries for shooting street.
> it boils down to being respectful and not behaving in a harassing manor. If there is a reasonable expectation of privacy then one should consider taking an unsolicited photo as an invasion of privacy.
AS far as I can tell, the law usually permits public photography simply because it is quite difficult to tell whether you are searching for a frame, using wide or zoom lens, etc.. So the "take photo" as in "press the shutter button" action is probably legal in most parts of the world, as you say. One will face consequences when they publish photos or transfer them to third party - more or less self incriminate.
This is were you draw the line. Taking pictures of people without their consent (and a good reason) is a big no-no in most parts of the world.
This is either because it's not considered appropriate or because it's condemnable [1] or both. It is also nothing new and not some effect of GDPR, but deeply rooted in culture. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy long had strong laws regarding the right of persons to their own likeness. There is also a big rift, not only legally but primarily culturally, between Anglo-Saxon culture and mostly the rest of the world.
GDPR and other laws concerning informational self-determination[2] never can be interpreted without context. They are always limited by other rights and freedoms, like the right of artistic freedom. So a lot depends on your intent and if you can justify what you do.
I'm not saying this is all well and good. As kind of a street photographer wannabe I'm very sympathetic to the position that the UK and the USA take on this. I'm just saying that the rest of the world has very different ideas about this and this has consequences if you operate globally.
[1] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Commons:Country_specific_...
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Informational_self-determinati...