According to a New York Post story posted last week, Apple has developed technology that turns off the iPhone’s built-in camera application whenever the lens is pointed towards a stage during a concert. The company recently filed patent paperwork for the technology, which has received its share of flack from the buying public but certainly delights concert promoters, who would rather footage of their paid events not be uploaded to sites like YouTube.

“While some critics blasted the move as a creepy ‘Big Brother’ attempt to further control users’ behavior, others cheered the prospect of fewer iPhones being held aloft and blocking their view at live events,” writes the Post’s James Covert.

Whether Apple has the right to control camera usage on their iPhones is another conversation altogether, but either way, the company’s camera-shut-off capabilities are impressive and could certainly be adapted for use in less-controversial ways in the future.

“The technology uses infrared sensors, which can be installed at venues, that can send signals to turn off any iPhone cameras that are pointed toward them, according to the filings. The sensors wouldn’t affect other iPhone functions including phone, e-mail and text messages,” Covert explains.