Imgur: Difference between revisions
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{{StubNotice}}{{InfoboxCompany | {{StubNotice}}{{InfoboxCompany | ||
| Name = {{PAGENAME}} | | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | ||
| Type =Subsidiary | | Type = Subsidiary | ||
| Founded =2009 | | Founded = 2009 | ||
| Industry = | | Industry = Media hosting | ||
| Official Website =imgur.com | | Official Website = imgur.com | ||
| Logo =Imgur.svg | | Logo = Imgur.svg | ||
}}Imgur is both a media company and image sharing platform turned [[social media platform]] founded by Alan Schaaf in 2009. The platform was initially intended to act as a format for users on Reddit to share images. It has been owned by [[MediaLab AI, Inc.]]<!-- If this company gets an article, make sure to make a couple redirect pages to MediaLab with the following names: | }}Imgur is both a media company and image sharing platform turned [[social media platform]] founded by Alan Schaaf in 2009. The platform was initially intended to act as a format for users on [[Reddit]] to share images. It has been owned by [[MediaLab AI, Inc.]]<!--If this company gets an article, make sure to make a couple redirect pages to MediaLab with the following names: | ||
MediaLab | MediaLab | ||
MediaLab AI --> since its acquisition 2021. | MediaLab AI--> since its acquisition 2021. | ||
==Consumer impact summary== | ==Consumer impact summary== | ||
- User Freedom: Users can upload content to the platform, however it cannot be used as a content delivery network (CDN) as per their TOS,<ref name=": | - User Freedom: Users can upload content to the platform, however it cannot be used as a content delivery network (CDN) as per their TOS,<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=November 28, 2022 |title=Imgur TOS |url=https://imgur.com/tos |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230113071334/https://imgur.com/tos |archive-date=Jan 13, 2023 |access-date=March 3, 2025 |website=Imgur.com}}</ref> despite its initial purpose being as such. | ||
- User Privacy: Advertisements do come with trackers | - User Privacy: Advertisements do come with trackers | ||
| Line 18: | Line 18: | ||
- Market Control: Limited competition | - Market Control: Limited competition | ||
==Incidents | |||
==Incidents== | |||
This is a list of all consumer protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]]. | This is a list of all consumer protection incidents this company is involved in. Any incidents not mentioned here can be found in the [[:Category:{{FULLPAGENAME}}|{{PAGENAME}} category]]. | ||
===Binding arbitration (Nov 28, 2022)=== | ===Binding arbitration (Nov 28, 2022)=== | ||
Shortly after [[MediaLab]] acquired Imgur, they updated their TOS<ref name=": | Shortly after [[MediaLab]] acquired Imgur, they updated their TOS<ref name=":02" /> to include a [[Forced arbitration|binding arbitration]] notice:<blockquote>These Terms contain a binding arbitration provision and class action waiver terms. Unless you opt out or there is a suit in small claims court, you and we agree to submit disputes to a neutral arbitrator and not to sue in court in front of a judge or jury.</blockquote> | ||
===Advertising overload=== | ===Advertising overload<!--Cool source I found, not exactly relevant, but it was mentioned in one of the sources I used here: https://web.archive.org/web/20180615183306/https://downloads.pagefair.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Adblocking-Goes-Mainstream.pdf-->=== | ||
<blockquote>Further Reading: [[Advertising overload]]</blockquote> | <blockquote>Further Reading: [[Advertising overload]]</blockquote> | ||
[[File: | [[File:Ad_Overload_Imgur.png|thumb|An example of how frequent advertisements are for users on Imgur. Via: https://imgur.com/gallery/too-many-ads-9vzuP7x]] | ||
While initially introduced as a method for keeping the platform up amid | While initially introduced as a method for keeping the platform up amid increasing server costs since the 2010s,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Imgur staff |date=Apr 4, 2016 |title=About Ads on Imgur |url=https://blog.imgur.com/2016/04/04/ads-and-the-apps/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912072231/https://blog.imgur.com/2016/04/04/ads-and-the-apps/ |archive-date=Sep 12, 2016 |access-date=Mar 5, 2025 |work=Imgur blog}}</ref> for nearly a decade, users have been complaining about a large amount of advertisements on both the website and especially the mobile app.<ref>https://imgur.com/gallery/so-many-ads-J39ioLs</ref><ref name=":1">https://imgur.com/gallery/i-keep-getting-pop-ups-whole-browsing-on-phone-9kBpBWP</ref><ref>https://imgur.com/gallery/no-wonder-we-have-so-many-trouble-with-ads-on-imgur-NgB8lVO</ref> | ||
Their negligence to also moderate advertisements has also led to ads of dubious quality to also be seen on both the website and mobile app.<ref>https://imgur.com/gallery/imgur-ads-controversy-8Mk43</ref> | Their negligence to also moderate advertisements has also led to ads of dubious quality to also be seen on both the website and mobile app.<ref>{{Cite news |last=arandompenguin |date=Jul 3, 2016 |title=Imgur and Ads: A Controversy |url=https://imgur.com/gallery/imgur-ads-controversy-8Mk43 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305205210/https://imgur.com/gallery/imgur-ads-controversy-8Mk43 |archive-date=Mar 5, 2025 |access-date=Mar 4, 2025 |work=Imgur}}</ref> Additionally malicious advertisers historically took advantage of unmitigated JavaScript vulnerabilities to cause their advertisements to immediately redirect a user's browser to their website,<ref name=":1" /> with one user reporting being redirected to a phishing website.<ref>{{Cite web |last=BaldBandit |first= |date=Jul 2, 2016 |title=This is not acceptable. |url=https://imgur.com/gallery/this-is-not-acceptable-dMytYzc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305202630/https://imgur.com/gallery/this-is-not-acceptable-dMytYzc |archive-date=Mar 5, 2025 |access-date=Mar 5, 2025 |website=imgur}}</ref> | ||
===Removal of anonymous images=== | ===Removal of anonymous images=== | ||
In April 2023, Imgur notified users they will start removing explicit pornographic images and ones uploaded anonymously on May 15.<ref>https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/04/hosting-site-imgur-will-remove-explicit-and-anonymous-content-next-month/</ref> The reason stated was due to these being "old, unused, and inactive content", though artistic nudity was not affected by these changes.<ref>https://www.engadget.com/imgur-to-ban-explicit-images-and-delete-uploads-not-tied-to-an-account-122537118.html?guccounter=1</ref> Some users on Reddit mentioned this move as "a full Tumblr", with others calling Imgur "completely dead" after this change is | In April 2023, Imgur notified users they will start removing explicit pornographic images and ones uploaded anonymously on May 15.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Purdy |first=Kevin |date=Apr 20, 2023 |title=Hosting site Imgur will remove explicit and anonymous content next month |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/04/hosting-site-imgur-will-remove-explicit-and-anonymous-content-next-month/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230420171637/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/04/hosting-site-imgur-will-remove-explicit-and-anonymous-content-next-month/ |archive-date=Apr 20, 2023 |access-date=Mar 5, 2025 |work=Ars Technica}}</ref> The reason stated was due to these being "old, unused, and inactive content", though artistic nudity was not affected by these changes.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moon |first=Mariella |date=Apr 20, 2023 |title=Imgur to ban explicit images and delete uploads not tied to an account |url=https://www.engadget.com/imgur-to-ban-explicit-images-and-delete-uploads-not-tied-to-an-account-122537118.html?guccounter=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225023935/https://www.engadget.com/imgur-to-ban-explicit-images-and-delete-uploads-not-tied-to-an-account-122537118.html |archive-date=Dec 25, 2024 |access-date=Mar 5, 2025 |work=engadget}}</ref> Some users on [[Reddit]] mentioned this move as "a full [[Tumblr]]", with others calling Imgur "completely dead" after this change is implemented.<ref>{{Cite news |last=u/RamonaLittle |date=Apr 20, 2023 |title=Imgur has announced that they will be "removing old, unused, and inactive content that is not tied to a user account from our platform." This means that a *huge* number of images linked from reddit will become dead links. |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/TheoryOfReddit/comments/12tinfp/imgur_has_announced_that_they_will_be_removing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230427010856/https://old.reddit.com/r/TheoryOfReddit/comments/12tinfp/imgur_has_announced_that_they_will_be_removing/ |archive-date=Apr 27, 2023 |access-date=Mar 5, 2025 |work=Reddit}}</ref> | ||
===Child data usage=== | |||
On March 3, 2025, it was reported Imgur, along with [[Reddit]] and [[TikTok]] were being investigated by the [[British Information Commissioner’s Office]] (ICO).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Landi |first=Martyn |date=Mar 3, 2025 |title=TikTok and others investigated over use of children’s data |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41585470.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305214845/https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41585470.html |archive-date=Mar 5, 2025 |access-date=Mar 5, 2025 |work=Irish Examiner |ref=Landi-2025-article-1}}</ref> [[Reddit]] and Imgur allegedly tailored the experience for children 13-17 through estimating or verifying a child’s age.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Landi |first=Martyn |date=Mar 3, 2025 |title=TikTok, Reddit and Imgur investigated over the use of children's data |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tiktok-reddit-imgur-investigated-over-092202216.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305215130/https://consent.yahoo.com/v2/collectConsent?sessionId=2_cc-session_f472bd30-fd21-4964-be45-27dbac0d4610 |archive-date=Mar 5, 2025 |access-date=Mar 5, 2025 |work=Machester Evening News via Yahoo |ref=Landi-2025-article-2}}</ref><!--Note: Yahoos JS breaks IA, someone will need to likely use the extension for the Wayback machine for people to archive this URL!--> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[MediaLab AI, Inc.]] | *[[MediaLab AI, Inc.]] | ||
*[[Reddit]] | *[[Reddit]] | ||
*[[Social media platform]] | *[[Social media platform]]<!--If made, include "Social media" as redirect to that page--> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references /> | |||
[[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | [[Category:{{PAGENAME}}]] | ||