Photo Source: Tony Biondo (CC BY-SA 2.0)
As a commuter student, I can only admit that I do not always look and feel my personal best while on public transit. A lady from Boston named Erika has all too evidently come to a similar conclusion of the MBTA (Boston’s version of TransLink) and its passengers, creating the “Boston T People” Facebook page. On this page founded approximately a week ago, Erika has since been posting photos of commuters in interesting circumstances—whether dressed in a ridiculous outfit or passed out on the floor—all à la hidden camera style.
As to be expected, the Facebook page has seen both positive and negative feedback. More unexpected, however, is that Erika herself refuses to reveal any of her own identity, opting even to turn her face away from the camera in an interview with CBS News. Erika discloses that “[she] and [her] family have been physically threatened because of [the site]… it’s outrageous.” While her concerns of safety are legitimate, it seems somewhat ironic that such identity-awareness would come from the woman posting photos of strangers that could very well be compromising their own identities. And strangely, Erika says she plans to move the site to a new domain and continue on, despite the criticism and threats.
When asked to comment, MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo has said that the photo-taking is absolutely legal, though has asked “people to be courteous and respectful to those who express a desire to not be the subject of a photograph.” But as much as that’s all fine and dandy, aren’t most of the photos of this page taken in secrecy?
Privacy is an issue that we as digital citizens are only becoming more and more conscious of. Take the response (read, panic,) to the recent accusations made of Facebook’s alleged publication of private posts, for example. If managing and curating our own content seems a full-time job in itself, what more the content we aren’t aware exist? And what more, that which does not necessarily showcase us at our best?
Some could argue that this site is purely lighthearted entertainment, and perhaps that is its initial intention. But is entertainment at the cost of another person worth it? What if that person was you? And does being unaware that you are the subject of a photograph lessen your rights to privacy and maintaining your digital identity?
Commuters frequent public transit simply to get from point A to point B. Is it right to exploit that for all the world to point (and) C?
I don’t understand why she needs to be threatened by people just because she is taking pictures on something that interests her. What should be done, if one finds a picture of their-self on the site is to email the webmaster and kindly request for the picture to be removed.