system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why do people's faces have to be blurred on TV, but the paparazzi can harass celebrities and not blur their faces?

Why is it celebrities don't have to sign a release so that they can be on TV?
gpt
Although laws vary by region, anything filmed in a public place can broadcast anyone's face.  No one has a reasonable expectation of privacy in public.

Why you see so many blurred faces, is because it's often beneficial to the production company to do this.  There is rarely law that forces them to.

Take true crime reality TV like Cops, or The First 48.  Everyone who is arrested, can have their face broadcast.  That's typically the law.  This is why you'll see the people placed under arrest try to hide their face, but they won't be blurred.  Same goes for court TV, and TV journalism outside court houses.

Bystanders, witnesses, family, etc. are asked to sign a release.  If they aren't willing, they are told their faces will be blurred, and their voices altered if they wish.  This is so that the production of the TV show, doesn't hamper the investigation.  If people watched these shows and saw that they *never* blur faces, they'd be much less likely to talk to the police, if they know their face will be broadcast.  No police department would let a reality TV show get in the way of their investigation.  Hence, all the blurred faces.


Celebrities, and politicians are aware of these laws, they know that anyone can film anything in a public places.  Launching lawsuits is a waste of their time and money.