Apple has been granted a patent for technology that could stop smartphone cameras being used at concerts.
The patent describes a smartphone camera receiving coded infrared signals beamed from emitters in public places.
The handset could then offer on-screen information or disable the camera functionality to stop pictures being taken.
One technology journalist said the technology could frustrate consumers.
“It could harm Apple in the eyes of some people,” said Stuart Miles, founder of gadget site Pocket Lint.
“People like freedom of speech – and who is Apple to tell me I can’t record something?
“But Apple patents stuff all the time, a lot of big companies do that. It might be created for one purpose, but end up used for something else.”
The patent was first filed in 2011 and details a variety of scenarios in which the technology could be used.