I think it may be a case of chinese whispers.
Licensing photography as an activity would be nigh on impossible. They can't license cars, drivers, people (passports), or anything else effectively, so photography would be no different
Seriously though, it would be impossible to license and then further enforce. If we about to see the first cameras hit the shelves, then it wouldnt be too hard to license from the beginning, but as cameras have been around for donkeys, then it's impossible.
We now have cameras on phones, security cameras, pinhole cameras. Even cameras in cars, nurserys, cots.
Where does the definition of 'photography' end.
I think (wrt the chinese whispers), regarding the terrorist angle, it could be something like licensing the photography of government buildings or something like that )ie possible terrorist targets?).
Stealth Tax? It would be a funny attempt, but I don't even think the government would be stupid enough to try it
