New iPhone Technology Remotely Disables Cameras

The Guardian reports:

House Democrats were able to garner wall-to-wall media coverage of their sit-in by broadcasting live from a congressman’s smartphone on 23 June. Yet that may not be possible in the future if a new patent recently granted to Apple is an indication of technology restrictions to come.

The patent shows that Apple may allow iPhone cameras to be disabled through special infrared sensors, giving the example of a concert venue using the technology to make sure no one makes bootleg videos of a touring band.

“An infrared emitter can be located in areas where picture or video capture is prohibited,” the patent reads. “An electronic device can then receive the infrared signals, decode the data and temporarily disable the device’s recording function based on the command.”

The technology could also be used to beam information to a lot of people’s phones at the same time when they’re in the same location, Apple says, such as people touring the art installments in Chicago’s Millennium Park.

Among those reportedly interested in the technology are museums, cinema chains, live theater venues, and other performance spaces.