Just when you thought it was safe to get out of the house – look out! – here comes a little gadget I guarantee will make you spin around and head back inside (thanks for the heads up to Al Golub on facebook this morning).
The ViconRevue is basically a pendant worn around the neck with a one gigabyte memory. It can take photos as often as once every thirty seconds and is meant for folks with memory issues (think Alzheimer’s) or lifebloggers (think invasion of privacy).
This reminds me of a camera I posted about on my Videojournalism site a year or so ago. Cute little camera meant to be worn by your dog or cat so you could download images and see what the little beasties had been up to all day.
Now this might be a great idea – except for the invasion of privacy issues. First, you know you have little expectation of privacy in public areas. But at least with today’s cameras, you can see them coming. This little gadget is difficult to discern until it is right in your face.
But if you’re relaxing in a bar or at home or in your office you DO have a right to privacy…and this is something the yahoos who buy the ViconRevue will find out in the courts. I looked at many of the comments on the article and they range from the conservative (scary, invasion of privacy) to avid interest. I guess my true fear is lifebloggers who think their rights override the rights of those who enter and pass through their lives and wanna-be investigative reporters (don’t call them journalists) who see this as another tool to add to their arsenal.
One thing to remember about cameras – as with any gear (include guns, hammers, saws, knives on this list) – they are a tool. Tools can be used for constructive and destructive purposes. It’s all in the mind of the user.
Posted by Cyndy Green
1 Comment
October 18, 2009 at 8:53 am
You’re right about the, “see them coming” remark. This kind of gear is stealth and will get ignorant people in legal trouble with invasion of privacy laws. We’re already seeing court cases involving cell phones capturing inappropriate/private photos and then sharing– especially among minors who were “just goofing off.”