It would be illegal in the UK but may not be elsewhere (you can judge whether that is a good thing or not). Just say No. Presumably enough people say yes otherwise they would go out of business? If they are not breaking local law then there is little you can do, just let it flow over you and enjoy your holiday. If you really feel agrieved then take a photo of them and email it to the local law enforcement when you get the chance with a covering email.

It is not against the law in this country to take photographs. It is against the law to publish/display them without permission where someone is identified. That has been established by the courts. If it was otherwise we all would fall foul of the law when we take a picture.

If you put a picture on a website and a person objects then depending on the circumstances you can be forced to remove it.

fwh

The photographer in our hotel in Turkey always asked but I hav been to aqua parks in Spain where they just walk around taking photo's random;ly.

to back up what fwh says, the Information Commissioner put out a press release recently confirming that it isn't illegal to take photos at your kids' school sports day -despite what anyone at your education authority claims.

But if you went to your local park and started taking pics of the kiddies in the playground I wonder how long before you get your collar felt?

And you can't just point a camera at people in this country even if you are a professional. A few years back a TV crew turned up at our school gates filming the girls leaving. The Head teacher went out to challenge them. They were from a French TV station making a documentary (they said). They then said something uncomplimentary between themselves about the HT not knowing that she taught French! 10 minutes later and they are in the back of a police van trying to explain to the boys in blue why they don't have a permit to film!

But if you went to your local park and started taking pics of the kiddies in the playground I wonder how long before you get your collar felt?

Irrespective of that the law is quite clear that it is not an offence. HT is not the place to indulge in a debate on the matter but a couple of points to consider.

You go to a sporting event and your picture makes its way into the local paper as a member of the crowd. If it was an offence then before publishing it each person pictured would need to sign a consent form, Not something easily obtained.

On one occasion when I was canoeing we entered York in a convoy having made a two day trip. Lots of people watching us. Cameras were going off all over the place recording around 50 people of all ages and abilities. How do you stop that?

No matter what the information commissioner clarified the whole thing was settled back around 1920 if memory serves correct when a court ruled that the taking of photographs was not in itself an offence. Where the law comes in is what you do with them.

As usual, and schools are a good example, people place their own interpretation on things which going back to the commissioner is why he made his statement.

One further point to consider - when you take a picture of your kids playing on the swings do you ask permission of the parents of any child other than your own that might possibly be caught on camera?

fwh