Geekpreneur has a list of disturbing Flickr horror stories. What makes them most disturbing isn’t just the events but how powerless Flickr users are to stop them.
Most of the people on Flickr are a friendly sort. They’re helpful and chatty, and they usually have something nice to say about your pictures. Most of them. Like anywhere though, you do get the odd creep sneaking in.
Since one or two problems on Flickr I have become a lot more guarded about what I do and who I allow as contact.
- Any time I post a picture of children I try to make it friends and family only. Lately just family for certain pictures. There are just too many twisted people out there who have made it clear to me that these pictures are not safe for general consumption, no matter how proud we are of our kids. I can’t do anything about the copies that are on these “individuals” hard disks but can try to stop them getting any more new ones.
- I am now very careful how I label and tag my pictures. I had to stop using the word “mum” because of these slimy people who seem to search for those words for their own perverted uses.
- Now it seems pet and animal fans have to avoid drawing attention from people who think it is funny to submit images of abused or deceased animals.
With people like these out there, could it be we are better off not joining communities like Flickr? I would say we should be aware of the problems, protect our privacy and try to enjoy these communities despite the sickos.
Read the post over here and try not to have nightmares 
2 Comments
I´m a flickr user and i have to agree.
I’ve found flickr to be an incredibly useful tool for hosting my photos, allowing others to critique them, and for helping me expand my photographic horizons. I think these disturbed individuals you’re talking about are definitely the exception rather than the rule. In general, I’ve found flickr users to be very helpful and supportive (though my own flickr has yet to attract very much attention – I use it to host images that I link to in my other photography-based forums).
Most of these ‘problem’ users you mention sound like they’re violating the flickr terms of service (http://www.flickr.com/guidelines.gne). Instead of shying away from flickr because of these individuals, I think you should instead report them to the flickr admins. I’ve heard good things from friends as far as response time on inquiries sent in to flickr, and ideally your actions will help others from getting hurt by these same people. Help make your community better!
Of course, flickr is still an internet site, so the fairly thick skin one must develop to interact with any web community is also needed here. In conclusion: Report the worst, accept the tasteless, and embrace the tasteful-criticism of the majority!