I have no idea what current legal thought is, but I would hope that it factors in how data is collected. There is a world of difference between observing someon

I have no idea what current legal thought is, but I would hope that it factors in how data is collected. There is a world of difference between observing someone in a public space and using a device attached to private property to collect data. Likewise, there is a difference between passive observations and what is effectively stalking someone. As for photographer's rights, I work in a public space. I don't care whether people photograph me unless it crosses the line of harassment. Likewise, if I notice someone taking photographs of other people's children, I will do my best to make them feel uncomfortable with their actions. Context is always important. The idea of what is public and private data is also constantly changing. I recall governments making public data available online in the mid to late 1990's. Records that you could visit government offices for in prior decades (e.g. certain types of property records) were viewed in a very different light once they became easily accessible. These changes will continue to handle, in part to balance rights but also because we need to address an imbalance of power due to an imbalance in access to information.