Bannon calls for legislation to prevent misuse of mobile photos and video footage

Fine Gael TD for Longford/Westmeath, James Bannon, has today (Thursday) called for legislation to deal with the misuse of recording capabilities on mobile phones.

 

“It is clear that advances in mobile technology have given us access to the internet, as well as a myriad of apps to help us go about our daily lives, and of course photography and video capabilities, however, I believe that we need to address, and legislate for, the misuse of photo and video recordings to protect people’s privacy who have not consented to these recordings being taken.

 

“More and more, we are hearing of unauthorised photos and videos being posted online, often of a scandalous or scurrilous nature, and the subject of the recorded footage is not aware of it happening, nor has given it consent to be published on the internet.

 

“I am calling for legislation to address this matter to protect the privacy of individuals in this country who find themselves in the position of unauthorised and often damaging footage of them being circulated online.

 

“This is particularly relevant in the matter of online bullying and between employers and their employees. As technology advances so too must safeguards.”