The privacy implications arising from the abuse of camera phones are obvious. Due to their size and ease of use, camera phones can go unnoticed in places where conventional cameras are not allowed, such as locker rooms, courtrooms or art museums. At the same time, indiscreet photographs taken by such phones, without the subject's knowledge or consent, are easily transferred onto the internet or can be circulated from phone to phone.
Such images, says PI, can result in embarrassment, harm to relationships, and can even be used for blackmail, revenge or harassment. With sales increasing all the time and technological advances improving the quality of the pictures, the problem, says PI, can only get worse.
"The misuse of phone cameras is becoming a real threat to privacy," said Privacy International's Director Simon Davies, "Unless action is taken immediately there is a risk that social intimacy will disappear within a decade".
Numerous countries have pursued prohibitions and restrictive legislation. The US Congress is currently considering the Video Voyeurism Prevention Act, while in the US, the UK and Canada the phones are often banned from changing rooms, workplaces and schools.
"Phone companies have a legal and a moral responsibility to fix these problems," said Davies. "This is not an attack on the technology. It is a call to make the technology safe."
Privacy International is therefore calling on mobile phone manufacturers to agree on an international standard that requires a default flash whenever a picture is taken. This initiative, says the watchdog, will at a stroke end many of the privacy invasions that occur.
At present some manufacturers incorporate a default "click" when a picture is taken. According to PI, this feature can often be disabled, and is worthless in a noisy environment. Other cameras incorporate an LED light, but this feature can also be disabled.
Commentators suggest however, that the suggestion is unworkable in that unless it is applied globally – so as to affect the cost of manufacture for camera phones everywhere – the requirement would seriously affect the mobile phone industries in those parts of the world that have to comply.
The call comes a day after the US-based Consumer Electronics Association published a new "Camera Phone Code of Conduct" to help educate consumers about proper etiquette and safe operation when using these devices.
The voluntary guidelines propose:
"The digital camera phone market is growing, with an estimated 11.7 million units shipping to retailers this year alone," said CEA's President and CEO Gary Shapiro. "We hope that consumers will keep in mind the public responsibility that comes with owning this type of product, and encourage retailers to actively educate their customers about appropriate use of these devices."