To me, even as a joke or means to counter idiotic guard patrols, it is very disturbing to even think about such a concept as "photography license". As if it was

To me, even as a joke or means to counter idiotic guard patrols, it is very disturbing to even think about such a concept as "photography license". As if it was an omen of what's there to come in the future. (And I'm talking Western governments here; undoubtedly there already are some heavily regulated countries somewhere that ban public photography partially or completely.) The idea of someone having the power to license another party to take photographs (in public) is just PLAIN WRONG. It contradicts free flow of information, artistic freedom, freedom to document evidence, and free speech in general.