Imgur: Difference between revisions
Clean-up; pass on style. Left note for ref 17. |
Clean up red links and outdated comments; replace dead & unarchived lost citation with [citation needed] |
||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
==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 terms of service,<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |author= |title=Terms of Service |url=https://imgur.com/tos |website=imgur |date=28 Nov 2022 |access-date=3 Mar 2025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230113071334/https://imgur.com/tos |archive-date=13 Jan 2023}}</ref> despite its initial purpose being as such. | *'''User freedom:''' Users can upload content to the platform, however it cannot be used as a content delivery network (CDN) as per their terms of service,<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |author= |title=Terms of Service |url=https://imgur.com/tos |website=imgur |date=28 Nov 2022 |access-date=3 Mar 2025 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20230113071334/https://imgur.com/tos |archive-date=13 Jan 2023}}</ref> despite its initial purpose being as such. | ||
* '''User privacy:''' Automatically collects device information, which includes device ID (for mobile devices), operating system, and IP address. The company uses technology such as tracking [[Web cookie|cookies]] to improve the "server's interaction with your device" alongside third-party advertisements.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Privacy Policy |url=https://imgur.com/privacy |website=imgur |date=22 Jan 2024 |access-date=13 Aug 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222002112/https://imgur.com/privacy |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> | *'''User privacy:''' Automatically collects device information, which includes device ID (for mobile devices), operating system, and IP address. The company uses technology such as tracking [[Web cookie|cookies]] to improve the "server's interaction with your device" alongside third-party advertisements.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=Privacy Policy |url=https://imgur.com/privacy |website=imgur |date=22 Jan 2024 |access-date=13 Aug 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222002112/https://imgur.com/privacy |archive-date=22 Feb 2026}}</ref> | ||
* '''Business model:''' Imgur gains revenue via advertisements seen by consumers. Payment is provided by the companies which pay for advertising space on the website. | *'''Business model:''' Imgur gains revenue via advertisements seen by consumers. Payment is provided by the companies which pay for advertising space on the website. | ||
* '''Market control:''' There is limited competition in the web-empowered photo-sharing field, which allows Imgur to dominate.{{Citation needed}} | *'''Market control:''' There is limited competition in the web-empowered photo-sharing field, which allows Imgur to dominate.{{Citation needed}} | ||
==Incidents== | ==Incidents== | ||
| Line 30: | Line 30: | ||
===Binding arbitration (''2021'')=== | ===Binding arbitration (''2021'')=== | ||
Shortly after | Shortly after MediaLab acquired Imgur in 2021 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> | <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> | ||
===Removal of anonymous images (''2023'')=== | ===Removal of anonymous images (''2023'')=== | ||
In April 2023, Imgur notified users they would start removing explicit pornographic images and ones uploaded anonymously on 15 May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purdy |first=Kevin |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/ |website=Ars Technica |date=20 Apr 2023 |access-date=18 Mar 2026 |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=20 Apr 2023}}</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 web |last=Moon |first=Mariella |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 |website=Engadget |date=20 Apr 2023 |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |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=25 Dec 2024}}</ref> Some users on [[Reddit]] mentioned this move as "a full | In April 2023, Imgur notified users they would start removing explicit pornographic images and ones uploaded anonymously on 15 May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purdy |first=Kevin |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/ |website=Ars Technica |date=20 Apr 2023 |access-date=18 Mar 2026 |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=20 Apr 2023}}</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 web |last=Moon |first=Mariella |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 |website=Engadget |date=20 Apr 2023 |access-date=18 Mar 2025 |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=25 Dec 2024}}</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 web |author=RamonaLittle |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://old.reddit.com/r/TheoryOfReddit/comments/12tinfp/imgur_has_announced_that_they_will_be_removing/ |website=[[Reddit]] |date=20 Apr 2023 |access-date=18 Mar 2026 |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=27 Apr 2023}}</ref> | ||
===Child data usage (''2025'')=== | ===Child data usage (''2025'')=== | ||
On 3 March 2025, it was reported that Imgur, along with [[Reddit]] and [[TikTok]] were being investigated by the British Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).<ref name="Landi-2025-article-1>{{Cite web |last=Landi |first=Martyn |title=TikTok and others investigated over use of children's data |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41585470.html |website=Irish Examiner |date=3 Mar 2025 |access-date=18 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305214845/https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41585470.html |archive-date=5 Mar 2025}}</ref> [[Reddit]] and Imgur allegedly tailored the experience for children aged 13-17 by estimating or verifying their age.<ref name="Landi-2025-article-2">{{Cite web |last1=Landi |first1=Martyn |last2=Grimsditch |first2=Lee |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 |website=[[Yahoo!]] |date=3 Mar 2025 |access-date=18 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404222138/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tiktok-reddit-imgur-investigated-over-092202216.html |archive-date=4 Apr 2025}}</ref> | On 3 March 2025, it was reported that Imgur, along with [[Reddit]] and [[TikTok]] were being investigated by the British Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).<ref name="Landi-2025-article-1">{{Cite web |last=Landi |first=Martyn |title=TikTok and others investigated over use of children's data |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41585470.html |website=Irish Examiner |date=3 Mar 2025 |access-date=18 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250305214845/https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-41585470.html |archive-date=5 Mar 2025}}</ref> [[Reddit]] and Imgur allegedly tailored the experience for children aged 13-17 by estimating or verifying their age.<ref name="Landi-2025-article-2">{{Cite web |last1=Landi |first1=Martyn |last2=Grimsditch |first2=Lee |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 |website=[[Yahoo!]] |date=3 Mar 2025 |access-date=18 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404222138/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/tiktok-reddit-imgur-investigated-over-092202216.html |archive-date=4 Apr 2025}}</ref> | ||
===Mass layoffs damaging functionality (''2025'')=== | ===Mass layoffs damaging functionality (''2025'')=== | ||
When Imgur was acquired by | When Imgur was acquired by MediaLab, it subsequently underwent significant staff cuts, including layoffs affecting its human moderation and other operations teams.<ref name="Washenko-Engadget">{{Cite web |last=Washenko |first=Anna |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 |website=Engadget |date=25 Aug 2025 |access-date=18 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260113232937/https://www.engadget.com/apps/imgur-protest-covers-the-front-page-in-anti-medialab-memes-225502091.html |archive-date=13 Jan 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=msmash |title=Imgur's Community Is In Full Revolt Against Its Owner |url=https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/08/28/1816210/imgurs-community-is-in-full-revolt-against-its-owner |website=Slashdot |date=28 Aug 2025 |access-date=18 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250918053650/https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/08/28/1816210/imgurs-community-is-in-full-revolt-against-its-owner |archive-date=18 Sep 2025}}</ref> This has led to users on the platform facing features frequently breaking, and with the firing of its community management in July 2025,{{Citation needed}} 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 three days.<ref name="Washenko-Engadget" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Gault |first=Matthew |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/ |url-access=subscription |website=404 Media |date=28 Aug 2025 |access-date=18 Mar 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206183519/https://www.404media.co/imgurs-community-is-in-full-revolt-against-its-owner/ |archive-date=6 Feb 2026}}</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 ranged from images of John Oliver to not-safe-for-work ({{Wplink|NSFW}}) content.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
*[[Reddit]] | *[[Reddit]] | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||