CNET News.com reports that a group of university researchers have developed a way of detecting the presence of a still or video camera lens, and then "neutralizing" the picture-taking opportunity by shining highly-focused bright light.

While the article is written to suggest that this technology is targeted at digital cameras and digital video cameras, the detection method - using infrared light to scan for the type of "retroreflection" common to lenses - likely means that a film camera could also be detected.

Thanks to Nick Didlick for bringing this article to our attention.