Cops Vs. Clouds: New App Will Keep Authorities from Deleting iPhone Videos

Carlos Miller of Photography is Not a Crime is helping publicize (and test) a new iPhone app that automatically streams video as a user is recording it and stores it remotely in a cloud, thus preventing grabby law enforcement officers from deleting footage.

The app is called TapIn, designed by a group of Silicon Valley developers. The app is still in testing, and they're allowing Miller to recruit others to help try it out. Miller has instructions on how to get access to the app on his site. Here's how a developer describes it:

It's an app that automatically saves any video you take with it to the cloud where it's publicly viewable instantly, sorted by location and time. Open the app and you're recording in one tap. In most cases, it's faster to use than the built-in iPhone video camera. This lets people see what you're seeing as you see it, and be able to jump around between multiple angles of the same event with one click. Even after the event is over, you can go back and watch any video that was taken. We're creating a way for people to share and be found by virtue of being in the right place at the right time, without having to worry about uploading, titling and tagging videos.

An Android version is also in development.

For photography-loving folks in the Miami area, Miller is also offering an opportunity this weekend to give TapIn a test run. On Saturday, Photography Is Not a Crime will be holding its Third Annual Photo Protest event. The target this year is The Miami Herald building:

Two weeks ago, a Miami blogger was told by a security guard that he was not allowed to take photos of the Miami Herald building, which has been a landmark on Biscayne Bay since 1963.

Since then, a Miami Herald executive told another Miami blogger that they don't have issues with people taking photos of the building.

They just had issues with people "trespassing" on the sidewalk in front of the building, which they evidently believe is private property.

However, according to Miami-Dade property records, the Miami Herald's property line begins just inside the sidewalk, making that sidewalk public… .

So Miller and any other citizens who wish to participate will be converging on the sidewalk to take pictures of the building Saturday to see what happens.