There’s just one thing more disrespectful than having images of yourself stolen.
And that’s having those images used as a ‘before’ shot to sell a photoshop app.
That’s exactly what happened to US model Tabria Majors, when she discovered last month her photos were being used by BodyCamera – an app that allows users to distort their images to make their bodies appear drastically thinner, taller or bigger-busted.
Majors, a professional model for brands like Fashion Nova Curve, was quite rightly pissed off that she was not paid by the app’s owners to use her photos in an Instagram ad to sell their product. But the 27-year-old was also infuriated her images were being used to promote an app that encourages women to “photoshop your body into oblivion”.
On Instagram, Majors shared copies of the ad, which has since been taken down from the app’s feed. BodyCamera, which ironically markets itself as “an amazing camera especially for women” has also used (and presumedly stolen) an image of Miley Cyrus to show how users can make themselves look “taller”.
“First of all @bodycamera2017 if you’re going to use my image to sell your product, run me my coin!” Majors wrote in her post exposing the app.
“Second of all, this is flat out disrespectful.
“I can understand minor touch-ups, but apps like these where you can photoshop your body into oblivion are a huge contributing factor to people having self-esteem issues.”
The co-host of The Thick podcast reminded her followers they are “beautiful just the way you are” and that they “don’t need an app to tell you that”.
Listen: Victoria’s Secret tried to pass this model off as ‘diverse’ because they didn’t photoshop out her tiny ‘flaw’. (Post continues.)
Since being discovered on Instagram in 2014 – before which she’d been working as a cleaner – Majors has been using her platform to promote body positivity.
On The Thick, she and co-host, writer Mindy J, discuss dating, work, fashion and beauty, as well as their experiences as curvy women of colour.
Top Comments
So is this legal or not You seem to be be hedging your bets by saying "stolen" then "allegedly stolen" a few paragraphs later. Which is it?
Though it may be a "disgraceful" thing to do for a business (and I agree on ethical grounds) legally, this is a different matter.
If the image had not been copyrighted and released on the net to become freely available in the public realm then the images are free for anyone to use. You. Me. Advertisers. Anyone
I'd like to see more articles from MM letting their readers know the risks posting their image online and how it can be totally out of their control once they are posted
Absolutely not true. To be used in advertising, they legally must have permission from both photographer and model. Copyright is automatic and belongs to the photographer in most cases, to his client in others, unless specified otherwise in their contract. But no matter what, copyright does not need to be registered to apply.
Moat social media sites stipulate in their terms and conditions that they can use your images for advertising purposes, but this only applies to that particular platform, and copyright still belongs to the photographer/client.
What they've done is absolutely illegal
When a private citizen does something to make the news, news outlets often got that individuals social media accounts, and publish photo's from them. I often wonder if even that is legal? (A major concern to me is, what if they have the wrong person?)
I was commenting on a wider scale rather than this one particular case and how people should be aware of what they are getting into and they should be fully informed when using social media.
Drunk pictures at a 21st birthday posted on someones Facebook
Risque pictures on Instagram
Embarrassing Karaoke captured on an iPhone
Feeding ducks in a public park
- all these things can go viral at the drop of a hat
Are these examples legal or illegal?
So firstly, I am going to reiterate my original point that people posting personal photos or information should be knowledgeable and informed about where their images may potentially end up.
Secondly, my wish was this site displayed the risks more. Is that wrong
Random Dude, you stated that anyone could legally use your photos when posted online, including for promotional purposes, which is what this story is about. That clearly not true, and these laws apply to most of the world (China being an obvious exception). This business broke the law by not gaining her consent to use her image in advertising.
With regards to the rest, I agree. It's good to be informed. Photos posted online or sent by sms/email are never truly private no matter how tight your privacy settings, and potentially anyone can get access and/or share them around with few consequences. It's still technically illegal in many cases (not counting facebook share buttons etc), but usually not worth the hassle and expense of prosecuting or suing