You can no longer post photos of people on Twitter without their permission

Twitter has announced an extension of its private information policy.  From now on, you are not allowed to share images and videos of “private individuals” unless you have their permission. And if you still post the content, anyone in it will be allowed to request takedowns.

“People should have a choice in determining whether or not a photo is shared publicly,” Twitter Safety writes. “Beginning today, we will not allow the sharing of private media, such as images or videos of private individuals without their consent.”

https://twitter.com/TwitterSafety/status/1465683094581792771

If a subject of a photo or video (or their authorized representative) reports it, Twitter will review it and take action if they find it justified.

However, there are some exceptions to the new rule. If you share photos or videos showing people participating in public events (protests, sporting events, etc.), they don’t violate the updated policy would generally not violate this policy. In addition, if the image is publicly available or posted “in the public interest,” it can also stay on Twitter no matter who’s in it. You can read the full policy here.

The reason behind this policy update is tackling harassment and improving individuals’ safety. Twitter writes that this kind of online harassment “disproportionately impacts women, activists, dissidents, and members of minority communities.” On the Twitter blog, you can read a bit more about the private information policy and everything that it includes.

[via The Verge]