A little question of ethics

[ailbhe]

Is it ever right and fair to make public a photograph which was emailed to you privately? Without permission? A photo of the emailer's infant?

I didn't think so.

(No, no-one has done this with any pictures of Linnea as far as we know.)

Comments

[nallac.livejournal.com]

With a bit of effort, I could probably come up with a good excuse, but it would have to involve something like the baby being threatened in some way.

[barakta]

I'd argue no unless there was a very good reason, and I can't think of any of those, so effectively no.

I don't believe anyone should upload pictures of other people/their families/friends etc without explicit permission either when taking the photo or BEFORE uploading it.

Re: A little question of ethics

[pir-anha.livejournal.com]

well, it might be right if there's a crime involved, and it would help to publicise the infant's picture.

beyond that? no. no, it's not right. in fact i believe strongly that people's bodies are their own, and that nobody else has the right to take pictures of them and publish them without permission. even if they are a public figure, i think there should be way more privacy, and much stronger limits as to what's permitted (again, allowing photos to use as evidence in crimes).

i hate papparazzi with a passion. i also can't stand people who think that because they have a camera, they have the right to take snapshots of me, and that this should somehow be an opt-out process, if anything. they are wrong.

the person who published the infant's image is probably one of those who thinks that it's cute to share baby pictures with the entire world, and has no sense whatsoever that some might view this as a privacy violation. it amazes me sometimes, the lack of thought people give to others' rights.

[nolly.livejournal.com]

I would be less upset if no identifying info were attached to the photo, but that's still not a good idea.

[d-h.livejournal.com]

Legally, no in pretty much any jurisdiction.

Ethically, basically no. But I would add a caveat about what "make public" means.

I could easily imagine a situation where a new parent sends pictures of new child to new grandparent, without a explicit note either way about the right to pass on those images. I can also imagine that the delighted Grandparent would be emailing their friends with a "see my new grandchild" message. I wouldn't say the Grandparent was in any wrong to do that, as it would be relatively normal behaviour. So I think the grey area would probably come in the connection of the photo recipient to the child, and the degree of anonymity in the "public".

[tiggsybabes.livejournal.com]

Gosh, no.

I wouldn't do that to any photo at all without asking first either. I only upload my own & my dad's as he doesn't mind.

We're going to a wedding on Friday & I certainly won't be uploading any wedding photos before the bride & groom do theirs.