CELL PHONE CAMERAS BECOME PEEPING TOMS (2-2004)

Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen discovered X-Rays in 1895. Not long 
after that, X-ray photography was invented. Although the 
new technology was destined to become one of medical 
science’s greatest tools, it was originally greeted with 
skepticism and even fear that it would be used mostly to 
invade the privacy of turn-of-the-century women.

Today, shortly after the turn of the following century, a 
new development in photography is again threatening a 
woman’s modesty. It’s the cell phone camera. And these 
devices have become so ubiquitous, and so invasive, that 
they are being banned in some circles.

There are now Web sites where almost anyone can upload 
images that were shot surreptitiously in bathrooms, women’s 
locker rooms, and in other public places. Many schools have 
banned camera phones. And lawmakers in such states as Iowa 
and Colorado are considering measures to protect against 
the “candid camphone.”

YMCAs, gyms, and health clubs across the country are also 
finding it necessary to ban the devices. Apparently, adult 
common sense is not enough to protect an individual from 
being clandestinely photographed.

Even some strip clubs are banning the tiny cameras. 
Evidently the strippers are slightly more modest when they 
believe they are being photographed. One club in Kansas 
City displays a sign threatening to confiscate and smash 
any offending camera phone with a sledge hammer.

Celebrities are also becoming wary of camera phones. When 
hosting parties, some are making their guests check their 
camphones at the door. They just want to make sure all 
their publicity is left to their publicists.

But the technology is really catching on anyway. Sales have 
grown from 1.2 million in 2001 to 6.3 million last year. 
Projections indicate that sales will approach 20 million in 
2005 as the prices come down and the picture quality gets 
better.

I don’t own one yet, myself. But that’s only because my 
cell phone contract isn’t up for renewal yet. And I’m 
hoping for the price to come down even further.

Cell phone cameras make it easy to snap quick pictures of 
those precious moments that always make people wish they 
had a camera handy. They have also been helpful in law 
enforcement. People have used phones to capture images of 
everything from car license plates to would-be attackers.

News reporting could also be affected. Journalism may enter 
a new era as publications start printing news pictures shot 
by people who happen to be on the scene of newsworthy 
events.

Of course, the little cameras will certainly prove their 
worth if camphonographers start shooting pictures of those 
elusive UFOs and space aliens. The possibility may be worth 
keeping one handy at all times.