A few days ago, I discussed the possibility of a world without Facebook. Among the topics touched upon was the constant snapping of pictures at all events, all the time.
Acknowledging that I may be hopelessly out of touch about this, I concluded:
…assuming that everyone wants their picture taken at every event is presumptuous and intrusive…
Let’s say I accept that in today’s online social networking world, this has become the standard. The norm. Non-intrusive. Expected, even. What about the act of going one step further and tagging your friends? This results in the pictures showing up in that person’s public Facebook feed and permanently nestled in their photos section.
I’ve expressed concern about this before and was starting to wonder if my position was unique when I encountered the Twitter update pictured above, from a social media giant whose opinion I greatly respect. The subsequent retweets and conversations around this affirmed my position.
Although we’ve largely given up any notion of anonymity today, tagging pictures removes it entirely, along with the relative comfort it provides.
But even more damaging is that the possibility of their picture being taken and then tagged for the world to see can actually prevent people from engaging. People who are not feeling well, physically or emotionally, or simply wanting to slum it. I’ve seen this happen. Many times.
Adding to the mess is Facebook’s continuing erosion of our privacy which now removes the option to block photos from being tagged.
Is there an option to approve a photo tag before I am tagged in it?
Unfortunately, the functionality of approving a photo tag is not currently available. When you are tagged in a photo by one of your friends, or they tag someone in one of your photos, the tag request will be automatically approved. [Facebook's Help Page]
I’m all about embracing change and progress, even if it takes us out of our comfort zones. The ubiquitous camera I can accept, even occasionally encourage. What I’m finding difficult to accept, is tagging pictures without permission.
As a friend Ryan said in a Facebook update yesterday: It’s still real if it doesn’t happen online.
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A friend on Facebook provided the following comment which I think is worth sharing:
The reality is that very very soon photo’s will be auto-tagged, thanks to face recognition technology. Might as well just get used to the fact and be prepared to search out for photos and untag the ones you don’t want to be identified in.
I personally don’t tag photos without permission. If anyone tags me and it’s not cool, I just remove it.
Same here, Buffy. I’ve also configured privacy settings (for whatever it’s worth) so that only I can view tagged photos.
It’s a fast changing world – trying to figure out and navigate the new “norms”
I go to many a yelp event and tag those in the photos that I know so they can see the photo. The difference? I have them pose. I let them know where it will be. I don’t take ‘bad’ shots (such as drinking or horseplay) unless they know they are being shot.
It is indeed not cool to take a shot of someone that either may be a private person or is in a position that when stopped in time could be construed in a variety of ways.
It’s a mix of common sense, the golden rule and just plain ole communication.
I also like tagging people to photos that they are not in if I specifically want them to see the photo. However, I did cross the line when I tagged my sister in a photo of a water buffalo.
I swear I didn’t realize how it could be taken and I would neeeeeever tease my sister…. honestly
Thanks for sharing, John! I agree that we should just use common sense and communicate! So much may change, but thoughtfulness remains a constant.
How could you do that to your poor sister?!
Tim, I was a model in my former life… I can have any pictures taken at any angles and it will be flawless… tag away
More power to you, Minh. I’m quite envious. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a model in a former and certainly not in a future life, so I’ll say, please get permission first.
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