Privacy vs. Public Photography: Where Should We Draw the Line?

There is no doubt about the fact that everyone has the right to take pictures or make videos indoors or outside, but then we all know that in most cases when pictures or videos are taken outside, it'll be quite difficult to solely capture just our own faces without someone else's face showing in our captured file. And when such a thing happens, won't it be an invasion of privacy for someone to take our pictures without our concern? And in such cases, what can be done, especially if someone sues you for showing in your photos without their consent? Below I'd state my opinion on these and related issues.

I'm part of a group of individuals who don't like my pictures and videos being taken, even when it's by my friends, loved ones, or colleagues without my consent, and that's not to talk of how I'd now feel if someone were randomly taking it without me knowing. To be honest, I might not see it as a big deal if I only slightly show up in someone else's selfie or photo in the public space. What I won't like is for my picture to be taken solely because the person thought I looked funny at that moment or the person likes something I'm wearing and wants to take a picture for a reminder; I won't be happy if they do it without my consent.

Funny enough, I've been in such situations before, not when taken intentionally, though. I can remember that very day; I was just looking less busy then. I decided to search for my picture on Google to see the results I'd get, and that's how I discovered a whole list of results. While exploring the results, I came across someone's strange post on Facebook that also said my picture had been uploaded with their account, and when I checked, I realized the picture was a selfie of her, but I was visible in the background at a conference I attended.

Should a law be put in place to stop people from taking other people's pictures without their consent? I'd say no to that, and my reason is because there are actually good sides to taking such pictures. One of which was regarding a news story I watched on the TV a few years ago, which talks about how a notorious criminal who had gone wild for over 10 years was caught all thanks to a selfie uploaded by a random stranger in another country different from his. Where they committed the crime. Secondly was relating to the movie 'I'll Find You,' which shows how a child taught to be dead happens to be seen in a picture taken by a random stranger and uploaded online, and that photo helps discover the perpetrator of the crime in the end.

I know some people won't disagree with my take, and I understand their opinions, so for that reason I believe if someone's pictures were taken intentionally, then such a person can sue the person to make them take such pictures or video down, and if it causes them damage in one way or another, since they're not criminals, then the person who took the photo or video can be sued and made to pay financial damages rather than jail time.

The same should go for content creators or pranksters who sometimes use their content to degrade others. That's about it on my take on this subject matter. What do you think should be done?

All photos are mine.