Hmm... seems this photography thing is rearing its ugly head again.
BBC NEWS | Magazine | Innocent photographer or terrorist?
I think the problem is indeed another word that begins wit "p" - paranoia. For some of us pointing and clicking is a hobby NOT a means to gather information for any illicit purposes.
Have often looked on the net for pictures of my town and not finding a lot so went on a mission of my own just pointing, clicking and trying to be aware of avoiding people as much as possible so as not to deliberately include close ups of anyone. It attracted a bit of interest, yet, I was hardly hiding.. standing pointing, clicking. Boggles me...