Difference between revisions of "Imgur"
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Revision as of 20:37, 13 December 2011
Imgur is a free emerging media photo-sharing website used to share pictures with friends and also for posting images on message boards and blogs. It was founded by Alan Schaaf and provides an anonymous uploading feature similar to website's Reddit and Digg. The only information that is stored is the user's IP address for legal matters. There is a request for image removal for copyrighted material, harassment, spam, gore, pornography, or anything that resembles pornography. [1]
History
Imgur was launched in February 2009 by Alan Schaaf, an undergraduate student from Ohio University. After being unimpressed by the common Reddit social media site, Alan created Imgur as a simple interface with unique image uploading and editing characteristics. He wanted to address the current interface designs that he described as, "bloated, confusing and annoying." [2]
Imgur is used to pass along jokes, awareness, interesting ideas, and share images. Many websites, such as Reddit, use Imgur as their primary image hosting website, although it is not a written rule, it is widely known amongst its users as the standard and most accepted image sharing website. Imgur has overtaken other hosting sites, such as Tinypic, on a variety of social networking sites [3]
Usage and Statistics
After being launched February 2009, Imgur currently has an average of 15,000 views per hour. There are an average of over 360,000 images uploaded to the website every day, which accumulates over 320,000,000 views a day. [4]
News
It has been reported that Irish arms of telcom has begun to censor Imgur along with other social networking sites like Reddit because of a lack of accountability and transparency. Three strikes policy has been implemented, with just accusations, no solid proof is necessary. [5]
Many websites and message boards prohibit the use of Imgur links due to their allegiance to other image hosting/sharing websites. This prohibition is usually not due to the content that is displayed on Imgur, as they monitor and remove most offensive images.
Ethical Implications
Popular and widely used websites such as Imgur generally have many ethical implications. Because user's can anonymously upload pictures this generally gives users a heightened sense of comfortability. As a result this could lead to an increase in inappropriate images, such as pornography, being added to the site. The strike policy on Imgur also contains ethical implications. Whether or not a user posted an inappropriate image, users can simply make an accusation towards another user who is then issued a strike. However what if one were to accuse another user simply for the sake of griefing other users? This could cause issues amongst other users and is a concern that should be taken into consideration.
Another ethical concern with Imgur is the issue over copyrighted material. Although the website has implemented policies and technology to help remove copyrighted material, with over 360,000 images being uploaded daily, there are certainly some images that may go on the site unnoticed.
References
- ↑ www.imgur.com/removalrequest
- ↑ reddit.com: My Gift to Reddit: I created an image hosting service that doesn't suck. What do you think?
- ↑ Interview with Alan Schaaf by DomainShane.com
- ↑ www.imgur.com/stats
- ↑ http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/o2-ireland-begins-web-censoring/07731
