David Ritchie pleads guilty to taking photos of women without their knowledge.

Thumper, those photo’s were taken in 1929.

If this guy is in court then it’s likely he took photos of women in states of undress without their consent. Shane Warne mobile phone jokes and ‘boys will be boys’ jokes aside, I don’t want to live in a world in which new technology is used against women in this way.

I’ve sat on public transport while a man rather obviously tried to take photos of my breasts with his mobile phone. I would even less like to know that there were photos of me, taken without my knowledge, in a changing room, on the internet. (And we all know how popular these sites are.)

Five years ago the thought never occurred to me that my shower at the pool might be broadcast to the world. Now this is the reality I’m living in. I actually have to consider this. Some pools have signage asking people not to use mobile phones in changing rooms in a sort of attempt to deal with the issue and to make their patrons feel more comfortable.

There are two spy camera shops in Melbourne which sell cameras disguised as small screws and all kinds of things. While I know a mobile phone camera when it’s right in front of me, I wouldn’t recognise one of these cameras if I saw it. And who amongst the general public is buying them? It’s not difficult to see their potential applications.

Of course I’ll never know one way or the other if there are images of my body on the net. Which is partly the point. The panopticon is so much harder on women. It’s not just the state inflicting surveillance on us, it’s also the men we’re surrounded by. This Kambah guy’s alleged actions are an example of a use of new technology that reinforces a culture in which women can never feel that their bodies are truly their own. (Body = existence.)

If you have a ‘desire to do carnal things with your mobile phone’ – do it. With people who have given informed consent to the taking of the photos – and their distribution, if any.

*waves hand* this is not the suffix you’re looking for.

‘phile’ would be more appropriate, maybe even ShaneWarnelganger.

ShaneWarneifobe. The desire to do carnal things with your mobile phone. (spelling fobe phobe is ok too)

Hmm, as he’s so fond of photography you’d think the Times could’ve published his photo with the article…..

I’m picturing upskirt shots here Fiona. Then I read this article and thought of even more possibilities.

….. I hope I didn’t say that out loud just now.

*blinks* it doesn’t telll me what sort of photos they were… I assume they were nice happy snaps or just random shots of people… otherwise it’s time to hide my camera from me.

Like those “oh let’s banm ALL comeras from beaches because someone’s taking photos of bikini-clad women only” . I want a nice beach photo dammit. Scenery. Me and my friends, whatever….

ahh this world…

Mr Ritche = Worlds biggest cockhead.