
Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR director Kristin Cabot were caught hugging each other at Coldplay’s Boston concert on the 16th, exposing their affair. The company confirmed that Byron had resigned on the 19th. This incident also triggered a discussion on privacy rights. Experts pointed out that when the two appeared in public places such as large concerts, they could not expect to have privacy.
The Associated Press reported that Astronomer posted on its LinkedIn page that Byron had resigned as CEO of the company. “Since its founding, the company has adhered to guiding values and culture. The company’s senior management should be role models for all colleagues in terms of words, deeds and responsibilities. However, some people have not followed this standard recently.”
The day before Astronomical Instruments made this announcement, it said that the company asked Byron to take a leave of absence while the board of directors formally investigated the affair. A company spokesperson confirmed that CEO Byron and HR director Capote were photographed intimately at the Gillette Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts, where Coldplay performed.
Pete DeJoy, co-founder and product director of Astronomical Instruments, was appointed acting CEO by the company, and the company began looking for Byron’s successor.
“Kiss Cam” is one of the popular side shows of many large-scale sports competitions and live events such as concerts. Organizers will remind the audience that they may be photographed; reminder posters are posted on the walls of the venue, at the attached catering counters or in the bathrooms. Gillette Stadium also stated in the privacy policy of its official website that when the audience comes to the venue and participates in the rally, their images and sounds may be captured, whether through security monitors or cameras and video cameras used for broadcasting.
Alison Taylor, associate professor at New York University’s Stein School of Business, said that if Byron and Capote had not panicked and dodged in a hurry, they might have escaped unscathed; their reaction aroused the curiosity of the public, and the video went viral on social media, eventually leading to their identities being exposed.
The legal website “zandersonlaw.com” pointed out that many people misunderstand that privacy rights are with you, even when you are in a crowd. But according to the law, individuals cannot expect to maintain reasonable privacy rights in public places. This situation is particularly obvious when encountering highly watched events such as concerts, sports events or carnivals.
Appearing in public and everyone can see you, then everyone can take pictures and videos of you, including being displayed on large screens in the venue, appearing in other people’s photos and videos, and being filmed by the media or bystanders.