Apple’s “Censoring” Patent Just a Sign of Things to Come

Via EFF Deeplinks -

Apple has been much maligned in the press recently for filing a patent application covering a camera system with infrared technology that could, among other things, allow the recording functionality to be shut off by a third party. For example, in its application, Apple shows how the technology could be used to "prevent illegal image capturing" at a rock concert.

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To be clear, we should not fear this one patent application, but rather the larger technology that may be captured by governments and implemented in widespread standards that could have serious consequences, for example, by shutting down citizens’ ability to capture and disseminate video. The technology in this patent just may be a harbinger of that, and—for that reason—we will continue to watch it closely.