Imgur: Difference between revisions
fixed reference. The yahoo link literally crashed my computer the first time I opened it haha |
m Proofreading, minor expansion under Advertising overload |
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| 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. | ||
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===Binding arbitration (Nov 28, 2022)=== | ===Binding arbitration (Nov 28, 2022)=== | ||
Shortly after [[MediaLab]] acquired Imgur, they updated their TOS<ref name=":0" /> to include a 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> | Shortly after [[MediaLab]] acquired Imgur, they updated their TOS<ref name=":0" /> 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=== | ||
<blockquote>Further Reading: [[Advertising overload]]</blockquote> | <blockquote>Further Reading: [[Advertising overload]]</blockquote> | ||
[[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]] | [[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 early 2010s, 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>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>https://imgur.com/gallery/imgur-ads-controversy-8Mk43</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, 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>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 implemented.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/TheoryOfReddit/comments/12tinfp/imgur_has_announced_that_they_will_be_removing/</ref> | ||
===Child data usage=== | ===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>https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41585470.html</ref> Reddit and Imgur | 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>https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41585470.html</ref> [[Reddit]] and Imgur allegedly tailored the experience for children 13-17 through estimating or verifying a child’s age.<ref>https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tiktok-reddit-imgur-investigated-over-092202216.html</ref> | ||
==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== | ||