I is for
Internet.
I’m going
to take this opportunity to rant about something that has been bothering me for
a while. Recently, a story surfaced in South Carolina about a lawsuit against
someone who took a picture of a six year old they did not know and posted it
online, mocking the six year old’s appearance.
People on
my Facebook friends list do this all the time, photographing strangers and
uploading them to social media for their own amusement. It’s one thing when
someone uploads a video to YouTube doing something stupid. That’s their choice.
But someone who stepped out in public shouldn’t have to think about whether or
not you’re going to snap a picture of them on your smartphone, and then upload
that picture mocking them, without their consent and for your own amusement.
It’s heartless and mean, and yet somehow people act as if it is their right.
I don’t
understand it. I just know I wouldn’t want my photograph taken and uploaded
without my knowledge. I wouldn’t do it
to someone else. It’s basically passive aggressive bullying.
The
Internet is dark and full of trolls, but when did this kind of thing become
acceptable?
Hello, I recently saw something about this, and the judge said that the photo belongs to the person snapping the picture. This followed a statement about a selfie taken of Simon Cowell with friends, was not his property, even though it was done with his camera phone. The person who took the picture for him apparently owns the copyright to the picture. I just don't get such warped thinking. You and I both know it is an invasion of a person's rights to take an individual's photo without their permission. So good to meet you. Best regards to you. Ruby aka Blabbin' Grammy. Number 789 on sign up list if you'd like to come see me.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever seen peopleofwalmart.com? That's a site that is nothing *but* photos of people (usually unsightly or dressed strangely) in Walmarts.
ReplyDeleteProfessional photographers get release forms.