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At least in Germany this is about the act of recording and the act of publishing. But in reality if you are not publishing, most recordings will never be noticed by the people on the pictures.

Also there are limitations, e.g. implicit consent or "panoramic freedom" (when the people on the picture are not recognizable).

In the US, it probably doesn’t matter in general. My understanding is at least some countries in Europe have restrictions about posting photos (and presumably video) without the subject’s permission. Something that is of course ignored probably 100s of thousands of times per day.

In France, if you post a image of a minor (less than 18) without express permission, you're in a world of trouble. It's automatic win in a lawsuit, no mater how justified you think you are.

I wonder how many iconic photographs including by the likes of Henri-Cartier Bresson would fail that test.

I assume there also have to be carveouts for newspaper/magazine editorial.

Depends on country and the exact types of "record" and "publish".