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Customer took photos of me without me permission

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
T00the
Posts: 4
Joined: 04 Aug 2023, 20:25
Gender: Male

Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by T00the »

Hello,

I went to collect a parcel from a customer and after I scanned the label, I looked up and saw her snapping photos of me without my permission. Is this allowed and I can refuse to accept the parcel in the future?

All she needed was confirmation scan from my pda so there was no point of snapping me.
Barnacle
Posts: 2772
Joined: 13 Dec 2022, 16:58
Gender: Female
Location: Earth

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by Barnacle »

T00the wrote:
08 Jun 2025, 18:32
Hello,

I went to collect a parcel from a customer and after I scanned the label, I looked up and saw her snapping photos of me without my permission. Is this allowed and I can refuse to accept the parcel in the future?

All she needed was confirmation scan from my pda so there was no point of snapping me.
Creepy. Did she say why she was taking pics?
’You can't just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they'll want something new.’
qwerty2
Posts: 2011
Joined: 30 Jun 2009, 00:42
Gender: Male

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by qwerty2 »

T00the wrote:
08 Jun 2025, 18:32
Hello,

I went to collect a parcel from a customer and after I scanned the label, I looked up and saw her snapping photos of me without my permission. Is this allowed and I can refuse to accept the parcel in the future?

All she needed was confirmation scan from my pda so there was no point of snapping me.
I would have grabbed her phone off her :evil/mad
BenacreNick
Posts: 1157
Joined: 18 Jul 2022, 13:27
Gender: Male

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by BenacreNick »

Neck downwards would be ok i guess, just as we do it at delivery point.

If you explained the email receipt when you scan the parcel as collected, that could have been sufficient.
chickenwittle
Posts: 2088
Joined: 15 Nov 2009, 09:43
Gender: Male

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by chickenwittle »

Photography is not a crime in a public place.
Mr Rush
Posts: 3140
Joined: 05 Aug 2011, 14:27
Gender: Male

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by Mr Rush »

chickenwittle wrote:
08 Jun 2025, 19:43
Photography is not a crime in a public place.
The customer's property line is outwith the public realm. That can be tested by attempting to film the customer in return.
The machine stops.
T00the
Posts: 4
Joined: 04 Aug 2023, 20:25
Gender: Male

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by T00the »

Barnacle wrote:
08 Jun 2025, 19:08
T00the wrote:
08 Jun 2025, 18:32
Hello,

I went to collect a parcel from a customer and after I scanned the label, I looked up and saw her snapping photos of me without my permission. Is this allowed and I can refuse to accept the parcel in the future?

All she needed was confirmation scan from my pda so there was no point of snapping me.
Creepy. Did she say why she was taking pics?
I guess she wanted proof that I collected the parcel. Although she only took a picture of me holding a box which doesn't prove anything lol.

In future I'll confront the customer if they do that again.
twoloops
Posts: 2005
Joined: 24 May 2017, 20:52
Gender: Male
Location: Sheffield

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by twoloops »

If she had taken the parcel to the Post Office would she taken a photograph of the post master? Probably no, she obviously does not trust you & thinks you are a thief, I would not be collecting from that address again, send your manager to collect the next one.
NWpostie
Posts: 3601
Joined: 04 Aug 2007, 17:32
Gender: Male
Location: Sector 001 Borg Collective, 6 o f 9

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by NWpostie »

Mr Rush wrote:
08 Jun 2025, 23:00
chickenwittle wrote:
08 Jun 2025, 19:43
Photography is not a crime in a public place.
The customer's property line is outwith the public realm. That can be tested by attempting to film the customer in return.
What's good for the goose is good for the gander, the customer can't object if filmed in return, if they do point out the hypocrisy.
Six of Nine loves Seven of Nine, together in Electric Dreams.
Tman
Posts: 4129
Joined: 21 Oct 2007, 09:57

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by Tman »

Aren't there bigger things to worry about than some over-cautious house holder following guidance from some crappy consumer site or show?
Where is she going to put it, Only Fans or something?
TrueBlueTerrier
FORUM ADMINISTRATOR
Posts: 72545
Joined: 30 Dec 2006, 10:29
Gender: Male
Location: On my couch

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by TrueBlueTerrier »

Written with aid of AI fact checking, my response:

In the UK, postal workers are generally considered public servants operating within the scope of their duties. When on public land, they do not have an expectation of privacy, and their work activities are typically lawful and visible.

On private land, the legal considerations become more complex. The UK Privacy and Data Protection laws, including the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR, primarily concern the processing of personal data. Taking photographs on private property may raise privacy issues if it infringes on an individual’s reasonable expectation of privacy, especially if images are publicly shared or published.

However, in the context of postal delivery, postal workers are acting within their rights to perform their duties. If they encounter issues such as obstructed delivery or concern for safety, they can report these to their management. The management can then address the issue with the customer directly.

In summary:

Postal workers on public land have no privacy expectations while performing their duties.
On private land, taking photographs isn’t outright illegal, but privacy laws could come into play if images are published.
Postal workers are justified in reporting issues to management, who can handle them appropriately.
For specific legal advice or complex situations, consulting a qualified solicitor familiar with UK privacy law would be advisable.
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Beanyjazz
Posts: 210
Joined: 12 Dec 2014, 19:59
Gender: Male

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by Beanyjazz »

If it's in public it's 100% legal. I've had people taking photos of my van before (whinging about parking) and just smile for them. Don't really give a toss.
Acca Dacca
Posts: 3193
Joined: 16 Aug 2009, 17:13
Gender: Male

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by Acca Dacca »

Its not worse than RING doorbell recording footage of you so dont see the issue
If you tolerate this, then your paid break will be next
Barnacle
Posts: 2772
Joined: 13 Dec 2022, 16:58
Gender: Female
Location: Earth

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by Barnacle »

I think nuance is being missed? One person could take your pic and it’s fine, but another person could make you feel uncomfortable by how they were doing it. So each case is different.
’You can't just ask customers what they want and then try to give that to them. By the time you get it built, they'll want something new.’
Deadly
Posts: 700
Joined: 12 Jul 2014, 21:38
Gender: Male

Re: Customer took photos of me without me permission

Post by Deadly »

Beanyjazz wrote:
09 Jun 2025, 10:32
If it's in public it's 100% legal. I've had people taking photos of my van before (whinging about parking) and just smile for them. Don't really give a toss.
Ha! I’ve had that too.