Are social media sites the problem or the Internet?

But what about posting photos to the Internet or social networking sites? Is it safe to post photos online?

I recently heard about the uproar with Instagram users after discovering their photos and identity could be used for advertisement on Facebook or with affiliates.

I was a bit surprised with how forward Instagram was about it, but then I thought, “Really, people? What did you expect?”

You have to understand when you post stuff to the web, it can go anywhere.

Right now I can get on my computer or phone and simply download, copy and paste, drag or even take a snap shot of someone’s photo from the web. 

As long as it is somewhere on the Internet, I can do almost anything I want with it.

I’ve read of people’s photos being taken and used for senseless purposes, photos being used as advertisements in other countries or used to create a false profile on Facebook, Myspace and online matchmaking sites.

There’s even a show on MTV that follows individuals who have met online and exposes the person they fell in love with really doesn’t match the image shown on the social media site. 

It was because the fraudulent person took someone else’s image and created another profile. 

Go figure. 

Honestly, dating someone you met on the Internet is a debatable issue anyway, but we won’t go there right now.

What many users fail to realize is when you use photo-networking sites like Instagram, Pinterest, Photobucket, Flickr and even social networking sites like Facebook, you are posing a threat for your photos to be shared among other individuals or sites. 

The reason is most sites deprive you of your copyrights the moment they are uploaded to the server, which goes back to what I was saying earlier–once you post something to the web, it becomes available to anyone.

Instagram users were furious when they read the new privacy policy and terms of service on Dec. 17.

Other than the fact that their photos could be used without permission, users were also upset because Instagram could make a profit off the photos if used in advertisement.

I reviewed Instagram’s original terms of service and the terms they were planning to implement Jan. 16, and both stated the same thing. Instagram has the right to use your image. 

As far as I can tell, Instagram has had the right to use users’ images since its inception.

See, the problem here is people never take the time to read the privacy policy or terms of service.

Most people, when signing up for something, simply scroll down through the terms of service and just check yes. You can’t do that and get upset later when it says something you don’t like. 

Keep in mind it’s always a good idea to read and understand the terms of service, especially when providing your personal information. 

Now Instagram has said it will revise its service agreement, but users can also opt out of the service by deleting their account.

If you do decide to keep your account, however, a good way to keep others from sharing your photos is to add a visible watermark that can’t be cropped out.

Still, always remember to be conscious with what you give out on the web.