Facebook Photo Terms Reversed After Nationwide Outcry

By: Jennifer Hong
Staff Writer
Published: Feb 20, 2009

Facebook met public scrutiny after adding an ownership claim in its terms of service agreement. The new terms suggested that the social networking site claimed ownership to all content and photos posted by its members.

Facebook Inc updated its terms of service earlier this month which suggests that the social networking site has full ownership of content and photos posted by its members. This prompted a nationwide outcry by its members who voiced their disapproval. The company revoked its new policy on Wednesday.

"By posting User Content to any part of the Site, you automatically grant - the Company an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license" to use, display, reformat, excerpt and distribute the content for any purpose," the Terms Of Service said.

The concerns that upset Facebook members were carried by fear that their personal photos and other content would be sold or appear on other Web sites on the Internet. The members were greeted with the new Web site's terms of use policy after logging in. Most members clicked the "accept" button while some actually canceled their membership amid speculation and fear.

Facebook does not want to sell or distribute member photos or related content.

The company's blog also mentioned that it does not claim rights to any member photos or related content, "We need a license in order to help you share information with your friends, but we don't claim to own your information," according to the Facebook blog. Even so, members who post private family photos didn't approve of the modified terms of service.

To be fair, Facebook does not earn money from member photos or content. The company already has a successful business model by selling online advertisements. However, it is still the intimidating question on why the social networking site wanted to claim ownership to content and photos posted by its members.

Facebook photos are only shown on member pages. Members can grant or deny access to anyone. For example, a user couldn't view photos by a member, unless they had access or were invited to do so.

The terms of service also claimed ownership to any members who with an active, canceled, deactivated, or suspended account. The original terms of service stated that when an account is deactivated, the user's content is immediately expired and deleted. No one knows for sure why this portion of the terms was changed.

More than 175 million users trust Facebook as a vehicle to provide content and photos for families and friends. The company has faced scrutiny from time to time over its policy and decision making. However, clearly they listen to its members and take their concerns critically.

Other social networking sites, including MySpace and Twitter, do not claim ownership rights or save content after an account is deleted.