October 6, 2011
4. Newblog2011: 10/06/11 Eavesdropping Law
Apparently, Massachusetts has something called an eavesdropping law, which is perhaps what the staff at the Boston Public Health Commission shelter thought they were referring to when they told me that I couldn’t tape record them without their permission.
I took a quick look at some search results for “eavesdropping law” on the Internet. I am with the people who think that it’s something that most likely gets against individuals by people and organizations who have official authority.
Consider what happened at the Boston Public Library this morning; there was a sign put up in the front lobby that said that if people who go to the library DON’T want to be videotaped, they have to let staff know.
First of all, that’s not the same thing as having to get someone’s permission before videotaping them.
Second of all; look what happened. Within a few minutes’ time, I had followed the directions on the sign and told 2 separate staffpeople that I DIDN’T want to be videotaped, and all they did was make fun of me, rubbing their noses to insinuate that my vagina smells.
Then the senior manager whom I talked to about the staff’s behavior made fun of me during my conversation with her, with her “smooth sailing” comment.
The law seems to be about tape-recording, and perhaps doesn’t cover videotaping without sound or taking pictures of people. However, I don’t think that there can be any doubt that it’s something that is in favor of oppressive government against individuals.
Copyright L. Kochman, October 6, 2011 @ 2:55 p.m.
4. Newblog2011: 10/06/11 Eavesdropping Law
Apparently, Massachusetts has something called an eavesdropping law, which is perhaps what the staff at the Boston Public Health Commission shelter thought they were referring to when they told me that I couldn’t tape record them without their permission.
I took a quick look at some search results for “eavesdropping law” on the Internet. I am with the people who think that it’s something that most likely gets against individuals by people and organizations who have official authority.
Consider what happened at the Boston Public Library this morning; there was a sign put up in the front lobby that said that if people who go to the library DON’T want to be videotaped, they have to let staff know.
First of all, that’s not the same thing as having to get someone’s permission before videotaping them.
Second of all; look what happened. Within a few minutes’ time, I had followed the directions on the sign and told 2 separate staffpeople that I DIDN’T want to be videotaped, and all they did was make fun of me, rubbing their noses to insinuate that my vagina smells.
Then the senior manager whom I talked to about the staff’s behavior made fun of me during my conversation with her, with her “smooth sailing” comment.
The law seems to be about tape-recording, and perhaps doesn’t cover videotaping without sound or taking pictures of people. However, I don’t think that there can be any doubt that it’s something that is in favor of oppressive government against individuals.
Copyright L. Kochman, October 6, 2011 @ 2:55 p.m.