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[Tech Ethics] They Didn’t Ask to Go Viral. Posting on Social Media Without Consent Is Immoral

web.archive.org They Didn’t Ask to Go Viral. Posting on Social Media Without Consent Is Immoral

It's typical to ask friends for permission to share pictures of them. Yet people don't extend this courtesy to strangers, either because they think nothing of it or they need to go viral at all costs.

Summary

  • The article discusses the problem of non-consensual sharing of strangers' images and videos on social media platforms.
  • It highlights how people sometimes exploit strangers for viral content without considering the potential harm caused.
  • The author emphasizes the need for consent before posting someone's image or video and calls for a shift in societal norms regarding online privacy.
  • There is a French law that entitles child influencers to demand that platforms scrub all trace of them once they turn 16.
  • The article suggests that platforms could implement tools to obtain consent from strangers before posting content featuring them.
  • Ultimately, the author argues that treating strangers with respect and obtaining their consent should become the standard in online interactions to foster a more ethical and civil internet culture.
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