Social Networking: Cyber Highway Robbery

It's hard to imagine how Facebook could possibly get even more greedy. Wait, not it's not. It's stories like this that make me wonder why people are still using this website. Not to mention posting their photos, creative thoughts and ideas.

Before I go on, I am going to say this... Like most of you readers, I too am just as guilty. I use this site every day. All of our radio stations use this website every day. Before they got greedy, it was actually an amazing place to connect with listeners, and grow as a radio station. Not just radio, but any business for that matter!

So what am I going on about? Well, Facebook has bought Instagram, a social media website/app that makes sharing photos easy and fun! You can take a dirty photo with your phone, put a nifty filter on it, and share it with the world in seconds! Here's the problem though... Now that Facebook is in charge, some changes will be made. First and foremost, is their new terms of service. Similar to Facebook, Instagram users will have their personal information sold to advertising companies so they can display targeted ads within in the app. This change doesn't really surprise anybody.

Here's the kicker... Any photos you put on Instagram can now be sold for use without your  permission, and without compensation. They claim they won't do it, but they can. In an artistic industry such as photography, it's hard enough to make money. How would you feel if a photo you took became a billboard for example?

My opinion: Use these websites for networking. Don't let these selfish companies have access to something you created. Making your own website is simple an easy these days. If you're someone who wants to share your photography or artwork with the world, make a website! Then share it with all your friends around the internet.