Protect Yourself and Others that Feature on YouTube Videos
Without doubt YouTube has revolutionized our lives. Today common citizens and activists can highlight issues they feel are important for the society and the communities they live in, which otherwise would have gone unnoticed, and upload videos of the same. Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism has come to the conclusion that YouTube is the most preferred destination for news. The study also found that substantial amount social and public issue footage was shot and uploaded by average citizens.
However, this is fraught with risk for people who shoot the videos and the people that appear in it. To avoid unwanted litigation Google announced the launch of a new tool that will allow you to blur the faces of people. This face blurring tool is the first of many steps that Google intends to take to provide anonymity to those who wish to stay anonymous.
Having said this Google further warns that this does not guarantee foolproof protection for those that shoot sensitive videos. Google has asked users to weigh the pros and cons before shooting and uploading videos. Google advocates that you consider three important things.
1. Google advices that just blurring faces won’t help. There are other giveaways that will reveal your and other peoples identity like license plates, voice, names, and background landscape. It is prudent that you shoot and edit the video in such a way that your location and identity is well hidden.
2. Before you upload the video online make sure that you have considered the risk that you and your subjects face. Only then upload the video. Putting yourself and others at risk will defeat the very purpose of shooting the video.
3. Consider the laws in your state and country. Several countries have strict laws and authorities in such countries can track the devices that are used to upload pictures and videos.
Give the above mentioned points some thought before you take the next step. Google intends to make this tool even more efficient, safe, and useful for the citizens of the world.
