Imgur: Difference between revisions
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{{CompanyCargo | {{CompanyCargo | ||
| Description = Imgur is a media company and image sharing platform - originally founded by Alan Schaaf, it is now bought and owned by MediaLab AI, Inc. | | Description = Imgur is a media company and image sharing platform - originally founded by Alan Schaaf, it is now bought and owned by MediaLab AI, Inc. | ||
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| Website = https://imgur.com/ | | Website = https://imgur.com/ | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''{{Wplink|Imgur}}''' is both a media company and image sharing platform turned | '''{{Wplink|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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Celebrating Imgur's Next Chapter |url=https://imgur.com/gallery/celebrating-imgurs-next-chapter-We6yCM2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/rPEUq |archive-date=2025-07-12 |access-date=2025-07-12 |website=imgur}}</ref> | MediaLab AI--> since its acquisition in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Celebrating Imgur's Next Chapter |url=https://imgur.com/gallery/celebrating-imgurs-next-chapter-We6yCM2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.is/rPEUq |archive-date=2025-07-12 |access-date=2025-07-12 |website=imgur}}</ref> | ||
==Consumer impact summary== | ==Consumer impact summary== | ||
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===Binding arbitration (Nov 28, 2022)=== | ===Binding arbitration (Nov 28, 2022)=== | ||
Shortly after [[MediaLab]] acquired Imgur | Shortly after [[MediaLab]] acquired Imgur in 2022 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<!--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-->=== | ===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-->=== | ||
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===Child data usage (2025)=== | ===Child data usage (2025)=== | ||
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 | On March 3, 2025, it was reported that 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 aged 13-17 by estimating or verifying their 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!--> | ||
===Mass layoffs damaging functionality=== | |||
When the platform was bought out by [[MediaLab AI, Inc.|MediaLab]], it faced multiple rounds of mass layoffs in the years since.{{Citation needed}} This has led to users on the platform facing features frequently breaking, and with the firing of its community management in July 2025,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Travis |date=Aug 26, 2025 |title=A little story about a site called Imgur. |url=https://bsky.app/profile/sigirides.bsky.social/post/3lxcjdm7ouk2v |access-date=Aug 30, 2025 |website=BlueSky}}</ref> the platform additionally had its transparency eliminated, eventually causing mass-revolts in late August 2025, when the notification feature on the platform was left non-functioning for 3 days.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Washenko |first=Anna |date=Aug 25, 2025 |title=Imgur protest covers the front page in anti-MediaLab memes |url=https://www.engadget.com/apps/imgur-protest-covers-the-front-page-in-anti-medialab-memes-225502091.html |access-date=Aug 26, 2025 |work=Engadget}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Galt |first=Matthew |date=Aug 28, 2025 |title=Imgur's Community Is In Full Revolt Against Its Owner |url=https://www.404media.co/imgurs-community-is-in-full-revolt-against-its-owner/ |access-date=Aug 30, 2025 |work=404 Media}}</ref> Instead of communicating with the community about the problem, the remaining moderation instead punished users on the platform.<ref name=":0" /> Protest content published to platform has ranged from images of John Oliver to not safe for work content.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||