To think any man would know this wasn’t acceptable.

How old is your daughter? You did the right thing, because she and her friends also saw how they should respond in the future to this behaviour, it's vital we call men out on this crap.

I'm not excusing what he did but just out of interest was he from another country? Only because when we travel with our children to southeast Asian countries it's definitely the social form to take photos of kids without parental consent. It happened so much to my daughter who was a very cute 5 year old that it put me totally off being expats, as I wouldn't want my children growing up thinking they r minor celebrities. Not that expatting was an option but you know what I mean!

The security guard had absolutely no right to even view the images let alone ask for them to be deleted. Nor did he “let him go”, he had no right to detain him in the first place. As creepy as the guy was he wasn’t doing anything illegal.

It isn't for me to police people going about their lawful business. There are many things people do that are legal to which I might object on a personal level - that doesn't give me the right to stop them.

It isn’t. Literally or otherwise.

You are wrong.

In fact, it's completely legal to take pictures of strangers in a public space, apart from upskirting. It is however socially very unacceptable to take photos of a stranger's children without a good reason, or without gaining consent.

A model release is only necessary if a person intends to use the images they have taken for commercial purposes.

So you would be absolutely fine with a stranger taking pictures of your young daughter/sister/niece without consent and without you knowing why they were taking them or what intentions they had of doing with the pictures, I mean, as he's not doing anything illegal right?

You are wrong. Why do people confidently spout false information all over MN? 🙄

@DonnaBanana please state the legislation as you seem so confident

No, it isn't.

Ew what an absolute creep. The shit some men have normalised in their twisted little brains astounds me. Good on you for confronting him and sticking up for your DD and her pals.

It’s literally illegal to take pictures of strangers in public without a model release/permission, anyone with a brain would know this. No excuses.

There is no limit, none, to what some men don't realise.

That is sooooooo creepy.

It's also socially unacceptable though not illegal for reasons unbeknown to me, good thing you stepped in when you did because by now, those images could be all over the internet in an instant and then turned into memes.

It's a shame theres' always one weirdo trying to film someone, everywhere they are like a rat up a drain pipe.

Surely as an ethical writer rather than asking to take more pictures you'd start by explaining why first, introduce yourself, maybe show press id than ask?

And there was still chance for him to do this in response to OPs question?

I think in light of the fact any random with a phone can take pictures of our kids and upload them onto a internet meat market for comment you should absolutely have to justify and prove your legit reasons

The security guard needed to get him to delete them from the "recently deleted"photo file too. Otherwise he can retrieve them. Sorry op ☹️.

he proceeded to then ask us if it was ok to take a picture of any DD alone. I asked him if he had taken any other pictures and to move away. I called security over and asked to see the photos he has taken

I think your approach was odd tbph.

Surely after he asked, the automatic response would be WHY? But it doesn't sound like you asked?

He could have said anything. I work for the local paper. I'm organising a similar meet soon and i'm looking for ideas. My daughter is coming to this event next month and I thought she'd like to see some examples of the costumes. 100 others.

Or, he could just be a dirty old paedo.

I can't understand why you wouldn't just ask why though and go from there.

He wasn't doing anything illegal.

I'd take care to ensure my child wasn't wearing inappropriately sexualised clothes, make all efforts to protect them from being abused or groomed, and then just crack on with my life.

//

Alternatively I'd loudly and publicly ask that person why the fuck they were photographing my child. Who knows maybe they would have a Very Good Reason and the worst thing that happens is I may look a bit of a Twat for challenging. Happy to take that chance.

Or maybe that individual is a nonce.

I'm within my rights to take that chance.

Yes absolutely!
I take lots of pics of my dogs in the park and love taking pics of the flowers emerging. Yesterday there were some nursery aged kids playing in the park and they all looked so cute! I wanted to take a pic but of course didn't. Not that I was going to do anything weird with them but you just do not take photos of other peoples' children full stop.

Yes it’s creepy but in a public place, anyone can take photos of anyone else unfortunately. But I think most people understand where the line is and he definitely crossed it.

Well I can't think of any reason why it isn't massively sinister. He should be barred from the cinema, the whole chain! Did you get a picture of him? You could contact head office and describe him if not, there must be cameras.

In a shopping centre food court you have some recourse because it's a legally private space so security guards can enforce that code of conduct.

In the general outside world you have no right not to be photographed or filmed. (Upskirting is now the exception, luckily, with a specific set of rules around it)

I wish people would just think for a moment about what it would mean if anyone could just refuse to be photographed in public places. What would happen to proper investigative journalism? You'd have people being thrown in prison for filming dodgy deals or crimes or trying to interview folks.

Morally yes it's hard to know why some bloke wants a pic of your daughter unless for nefarious reasons. But that's just part of life I'm afraid, paedos will take photos at beaches, high streets, concerts...I'd take care to ensure my child wasn't wearing inappropriately sexualised clothes, make all efforts to protect them from being abused or groomed, and then just crack on with my life.

What in the fuck. Paedo alert.