A new online warning is causing unnecessary alarm among Facebook users, claiming that Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has changed its policies to seize ownership of user photos and videos. This viral message urges users to post a copyright notice on their accounts to prevent this alleged takeover. But is there any truth to these claims? Let’s delve into the reality behind this circulating rumor and clarify Meta’s actual stance on user-generated content.
The alarming message, reminiscent of previous online hoaxes, suggests a drastic policy shift by Facebook, stating:
“It’s official. Signed at 8:16 PM. It was even on TV… Don’t forget that tomorrow starts the new Facebook rule where they can use your photos. Don’t forget the deadline is today!!!”
This message further prompts users to copy and paste a legal-sounding disclaimer to their profiles, supposedly to protect their photos from Meta’s grasp. This disclaimer often reads something like: “I do not authorize META, Facebook or any entity associated with Facebook to use my photos, information, messages or posts, past or future.”
However, it’s crucial to understand that these warnings are completely false. Such copyright notices and frantic warnings have been debunked repeatedly over the years. These types of viral rumors, while seemingly innocuous, contribute to a climate of online misinformation and can be as harmful as more dangerous hoaxes concerning public safety or cyber threats.
Facebook itself addressed a similar rumor back in 2012. They explicitly stated, “there is a rumor circulating that Facebook is making a change related to ownership of users’ information or the content they post to the site. This is false. Anyone who uses Facebook owns and controls the content and information they post, as stated in our terms. They control how that content and information is shared. That is our policy, and it always has been.” This fundamental principle of user ownership hasn’t changed with the transition to Meta.
Meta’s terms of service clearly articulate user content ownership. The terms state:
“You retain ownership of the intellectual property rights (things such as copyright or trademarks) in any such content that you create and share on Facebook and other Meta Company Products that you use. Nothing in these Terms takes away the rights you have to your own content. You are free to share your content with anyone else, wherever you want.”
So, if Meta isn’t taking ownership of your photos, what’s the catch? The terms continue by explaining: “However, to provide our services we need you to give us some legal permissions (known as a “License”) to use this content. This is solely for the purposes of providing and improving our Products and services as described.”
This “license” is the key to understanding how Meta can use your photos within its platform. It’s not about ownership, but about permission to display, share, and process your content to operate the social network effectively. This license allows Meta to show your photos to your friends, store them on their servers, and even use them in algorithms that improve user experience.
The core of Meta’s business model isn’t photo ownership, but rather leveraging user data for targeted advertising. As Meta clarifies, users are not paying directly to use Facebook and its services. Instead, “we use your personal data, such as information about your activity and interests, to show you personalized ads and sponsored content that may be more relevant to you.” Your data, derived from your activity including the photos you share and interact with, fuels their advertising engine.
The irony of this particular hoax spreading virally on Facebook itself is hard to ignore. It highlights the ongoing challenge of misinformation on social media platforms. While algorithms strive to detect and remove harmful content, these kinds of rumors can still circulate widely.
In conclusion, you retain ownership of your photos on Facebook and Meta platforms. The circulating warning is a hoax. Meta requires a license to use your content to provide its services, but this is standard practice for social media platforms and does not equate to them seizing your copyright. Instead of worrying about losing photo ownership, the real discussion around Meta and platforms like Facebook centers on data privacy and how personal information is used for targeted advertising. You can continue to post your photos without fear of losing ownership, but it’s always wise to be informed about data privacy practices on any social media platform you use.
