ME and Ophelia

PRIVACY ISSUES IN A PUBLIC PLACE
Stolen kiss lands Chinese school in court

BBC News reports that "a Chinese couple has sued their former high school after it broadcast a video of them kissing on campus as an example of "irregular action". Wei Gang and his unnamed girlfriend have demanded compensation of 5,000 yuan ($600) and a public apology for "mental anguish" caused by the screening, which they said was an invasion of their privacy. Although the video tried to cover up the couple's faces, fellow students recognised them by their dress, the Shanghai Daily reported."

It'd be interesting to know the outcome of this. Firstly, the couple are saying it was an invasion of their privacy but they were kissing in a public place for all to see, so they couldn't have been too concerned about "privacy" issues. Secondly, the school must have felt they were invading some sort of privacy because the video tried to cover up the couple's faces.

Years ago, in America, I recall some sort of paper was required to be signed by someone before you took their photo for public show. I think people ought to be able to sue for having their image taken without their permission. What do you think? How would you feel if an image of you was taken unaware and ended up in the public domain? It happens every day to people in the public eye, why should this couple be any different?