Imgur
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| Basic information | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 |
| Type | Subsidiary |
| Industry | Media hosting |
| Official website | imgur.com |
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. since its acquisition 2021.
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,[1] despite its initial purpose being as such.
- User Privacy: Advertisements do come with trackers
- Business Model: Gain revenue via advertisements seen by consumers
- Market Control: Limited competition
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 Imgur category.
Binding arbitration (Nov 28, 2022)
Shortly after MediaLab acquired Imgur, they updated their TOS[1] to include a binding arbitration notice:
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.
Advertising overload
Further Reading: Advertising overload
While initially introduced as a method for keeping the platform up amid increasing server costs since the 2010s,[2] for nearly a decade, users have been complaining about a large amount of advertisements on both the website and especially the mobile app.[3][4][5]
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.[6] Additionally malicious advertisers historically took advantage of unmitigated JavaScript vulnerabilities to cause their advertisements to immediately redirect a user's browser to their website,[4] with one user reporting being redirected to a phishing website.[7]
Removal of anonymous images
In April 2023, Imgur notified users they will start removing explicit pornographic images and ones uploaded anonymously on May 15.[8] The reason stated was due to these being "old, unused, and inactive content", though artistic nudity was not affected by these changes.[9] Some users on Reddit mentioned this move as "a full Tumblr", with others calling Imgur "completely dead" after this change is implemented.[10]
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).[11] Reddit and Imgur allegedly tailored the experience for children 13-17 through estimating or verifying a child’s age.[12]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Imgur TOS". Imgur.com. November 28, 2022. Archived from the original on Jan 13, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ↑ Imgur staff (Apr 4, 2016). "About Ads on Imgur". Imgur blog. Archived from the original on Sep 12, 2016. Retrieved Mar 5, 2025.
- ↑ https://imgur.com/gallery/so-many-ads-J39ioLs
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://imgur.com/gallery/i-keep-getting-pop-ups-whole-browsing-on-phone-9kBpBWP
- ↑ https://imgur.com/gallery/no-wonder-we-have-so-many-trouble-with-ads-on-imgur-NgB8lVO
- ↑ arandompenguin (Jul 3, 2016). "Imgur and Ads: A Controversy". Imgur. Archived from the original on Mar 5, 2025. Retrieved Mar 4, 2025.
- ↑ BaldBandit (Jul 2, 2016). "This is not acceptable". imgur. Archived from the original on Mar 5, 2025. Retrieved Mar 5, 2025.
- ↑ Purdy, Kevin (Apr 20, 2023). "Hosting site Imgur will remove explicit and anonymous content next month". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on Apr 20, 2023. Retrieved Mar 5, 2025.
- ↑ Moon, Mariella (Apr 20, 2023). "Imgur to ban explicit images and delete uploads not tied to an account". engadget. Archived from the original on Dec 25, 2024. Retrieved Mar 5, 2025.
- ↑ u/RamonaLittle (Apr 20, 2023). "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". Reddit. Archived from the original on Apr 27, 2023. Retrieved Mar 5, 2025.
- ↑ Landi, Martyn (Mar 3, 2025). "TikTok and others investigated over use of children's data". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on Mar 5, 2025. Retrieved Mar 5, 2025.
- ↑ Landi, Martyn (Mar 3, 2025). "TikTok, Reddit and Imgur investigated over the use of children's data". Machester Evening News via Yahoo. Archived from the original on Mar 5, 2025. Retrieved Mar 5, 2025.