There’s
a proposed bill in the Congress known as House Bill 4807 or the Protection
Against Personal Intrusion Act and now it is on third reading. According to
Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate, this bill aims to avoid someone taking
photos of people or places without any consent from the person or from the
owner.
But
it seems that this bill made a maze to the perception of the public because
other news entities called it as Anti-Selfie Bill although if we based on it’s
title, this is all about protecting the privacy of a person or a place. The meaning
of the word ‘selfie’ means a person who loves to take a picture of
himself/herself. Anyway, where could we connect the world selfie with this
bill? Maybe if you take a picture of yourself using the background of other
people without asking their permission. You could not just take a photo of an
establishment or a place without asking the permission of the owner. But you
don’t have a problem if you take a selfie picture inside your house or to the
public places.
This
bill extends not only taking photos but also taking videos and audio recording
of other individuals. Even public officials and celebrities are included in
this bill. You need to ask first their permission before you can take a picture
with them. So, the happy days of the paparazzi would be ending soon.
It
seems that this bill is overkill that’s why many of our countrymen are opposing
this bill especially the netizens and the media because it could may affect the
freedom of the press. Protecting the privacy of an individual is very good, but
don’t apply it to popular personalities because they already became a public
property unless there is someone who are already intruding with their personal
lives or they want to monetize their picture without their knowledge. How about
the places? Of course, if it is a private property you need to ask first the
consent of the owner or caretaker before you do a photo shoot. But it is hard
to think, that you could be sued because you just take a picture of an
establishment. So, the lawmakers should review carefully about the details of this
bill before they pass it as a law.