White House lifts 40-year ban on photos during public tours

The White House lifted a 40-year-old ban on taking photos during public tours of the executive mansion on Wednesday and invited visitors to share their shots on Twitter using ž#WhiteHouseTour.

First lady Michelle Obama announced the change in a video on Instagram.

“If you’ve been on a White House tour, you may have seen this sign,” she said, holding up a sign reading “No Photos or Social Media allowed.” “Well, not any more,” Obama said as she tore up the sign, laughing.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the first lady’s office told the Guardian: “The ban was put in place due to old flash photography and the damaging effect extreme flash could have on artwork. Thanks to changes in flash photography, we are now able to lift this ban.

“We want guests to enjoy the People’s House. Lifting this ban will allow visitor’s to keep the memories of their visit to the White House for a lifetime and share them with their family and friends.”

The White House said some cameras and accessories such as so-called selfie sticks would still be prohibited.

Video cameras, cameras with detachable lenses, tablets, tripods, monopods will also remain banned. Phone cameras and compact still cameras with a lens no longer than 3in (7.6 cm) will be allowed, the White House said.

A relaxation of the camera rule coincided with a new security measure surrounding the executive mansion on Wednesday: a spiked top fence to thwart would-be intruders.

Sharp metal points will be bolted on top of the black iron fence as a temporary measure until authorities put up a more permanent structure next year. The changes were sparked by security breaches at the White House, including a September intrusion when a man scaled the fence and ran into the mansion.

Reuters contributed to this report