Is blurring background faces out sufficient to conceal identity in documentary? at DVinfo.net

Greg Quinn · March 5th, 2011, 11:02 PM

I have footage taken in locations that I have permission to film in, but many people in background who weren't waivered and would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. I'm therefore blurring out faces but I'm wondering whether that's enough? E,g,, a person might be wearing distinctive pants, or rings, or anything else which would be recognizable to both him/her and their acquaintances through which they could be identified. Anyone been in a similar situation?

Steve Kalle · March 7th, 2011, 06:40 PM

If I'm not mistaken, as long as you don't see their faces, you are good to go. I have never seen a video on TV where the entire body was blurred.

Greg Quinn · April 7th, 2011, 07:55 AM

Thanks Steve, me neither. Just want to be on the safe side. I guess the criteria is not whether someone could identify themselves in the video, but whether they might reasonably be identified by a member of the public.

Wayne Reimer · April 8th, 2011, 08:42 AM

I'm sure the US laws in that regard are similar to Canadian regs.Here, the assumption is made that the only part of a human body that is not subject to significant change is the face, so blurring facial features is all that's needed.
There can be specific exceptions i.e. a close up of a pair of hands wearing a custom designed set of wedding rings, etc. that are easily identifiable. I would guess that almost always if you were shooting something like that, up close and personal, that you would have obtained a release of some sort anyway

March 5th, 2011, 11:02 PM	#1
Greg Quinn Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 505	Is blurring background faces out sufficient to conceal identity in documentary? I have footage taken in locations that I have permission to film in, but many people in background who weren't waivered and would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. I'm therefore blurring out faces but I'm wondering whether that's enough? E,g,, a person might be wearing distinctive pants, or rings, or anything else which would be recognizable to both him/her and their acquaintances through which they could be identified. Anyone been in a similar situation?

March 7th, 2011, 06:40 PM	#2
Steve Kalle Trustee Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 1,554	Re: Is blurring background faces out sufficient to conceal identity in documentary? If I'm not mistaken, as long as you don't see their faces, you are good to go. I have never seen a video on TV where the entire body was blurred.

April 7th, 2011, 07:55 AM	#3
Greg Quinn Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 505	Re: Is blurring background faces out sufficient to conceal identity in documentary? Thanks Steve, me neither. Just want to be on the safe side. I guess the criteria is not whether someone could identify themselves in the video, but whether they might reasonably be identified by a member of the public.

April 8th, 2011, 08:42 AM	#4
Wayne Reimer Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Regina, Saskatchewan Canada Posts: 255	Re: Is blurring background faces out sufficient to conceal identity in documentary? I'm sure the US laws in that regard are similar to Canadian regs.Here, the assumption is made that the only part of a human body that is not subject to significant change is the face, so blurring facial features is all that's needed. There can be specific exceptions i.e. a close up of a pair of hands wearing a custom designed set of wedding rings, etc. that are easily identifiable. I would guess that almost always if you were shooting something like that, up close and personal, that you would have obtained a release of some sort anyway