At a recent Coldplay show, Andy Byron was thrust into the spotlight when his reaction to a crowded stadium—and later to millions of people online—was unexpectedly captured on a kiss cam. Discussions around permission, privacy, and what attendees of such events truly agree to when they purchase tickets were spurred by the occurrence.
Most large concert tickets, including those for Coldplay’s global tour, have terms and conditions that state that fans tacitly agree to being recorded or photographed. The fine print often states that by entering the venue, fans agree to the use of their image, likeness, and voice for any live or recorded broadcast, promotional material, or commercial use by the organizers and associated media.
Legal experts clarify that this type of clause is standard practice at most stadium events. It covers everything from TV broadcasts and livestreams to social media highlights—including crowd shots and, yes, kiss cam segments.
However, worries have increased due to social media’s viral reach. Although the legal right to film may be obvious, some people think that ethical concerns about context and personal dignity—such as when an extremely passionate or unfavourable reaction is widely shared—should cause these policies to be reexamined.
