Ethics of Camera Phone
Thomas H. Mak
CS 301
What is Camera Phone?
Most cellular phones these days are now
equipped with camera or camcorder.
Cellular phones are not just for
communication, but it can also be used for
taking pictures or video recording.
Camera phone is small and portable, makes
it easier for people to take pictures.
The first commercially released camera
phone was sold in Japan in 2001 and in
North America in 2002.
Advantages of Camera Phone
(Part 1)
Camera phone makes it convenient since
people don’t have to carry both the cellular
phone and the camera at once.
Camera phone makes it easier to take
personal pictures, friends pictures, group
pictures.
Camera phone makes it convenient for
photographers, reporters, journalists, police,
etc. to take pictures.
Camera phone allows people to take picture
of the suspect, making it easier for the police
to find the criminal.
Advantages of Camera Phone
(Part 2)
Camera phone allows people to capturing
moments at any time. Sometimes capturing
moments can help report or document the
event such as:
Natural Disasters such as Earthquakes, Hurricanes,
Tsunamis, Fires, etc.
Crime scene such as Violence, Theft, Terrorism, etc.
Incidents such as Accidents, Conflicts, Protests,
Fights, War Scene, etc.
Major events
Videos taken from the Camera Phone
UCLA Taser Incident
Saddam Execution
Virginia Tech Incident
Haiti Earthquake
Disadvantages of Camera Phone
(Part 1)
Some people could use camera phones to
take voyeurism pictures such as peeping
others, spying, and upskirting, which are
considered invasion of privacy.
Some people could use camera to take
naked or semi-naked pictures of themselves
and distributed to others, known as sexting.
Some people could use camera phones to
record movies in theaters, television shows,
and record music concerts, and then upload
on the internet, which are considered
copyright infringement.
Disadvantages of Camera Phone
(Part 2)
People could use camera phones to take
photographs in museums, performance halls,
and other places where photography is
prohibited.
Terrorists could use camera phone to take
pictures of sensitive, restrictive, classified
areas, which they could use it to disrupt or
threaten people’s security.
Videos about Camera Phone
Camera Phone and Crime Solving (Ethical)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtGF_heXsbo
Camera Phone and Voyeurism (Unethical)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDFSLCNSJLM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju6DE49a7w0
WARNING:
Some of these videos are controversial and sensitive.
Conclusion
Camera phone can make it easier to take
pictures, capture the event, and solve crime.
Camera phone also make it easier for
criminals to take illegal photos.
While camera phones can be helpful and
beneficial, camera phone use can be abusive
and illegally used.
Is using camera phone moral or immoral?