Interesting Question?

Hypothetical Situation:

let's say, for example, I found a website that was displaying a photograph of me that had been taken without my knowledge or permission. The photograph is of something else, but centred in the picture is me and it is clear to all that know me that it is me.

My question:

Can I demand/ask the website owners to give me/take down the photograph?

As far as I am aware, in the UK, if you publish a photograph of somebody that was taken without their knowledge it is "invasion of privacy" and you could be sued. Is this correct or am I way off track?

 

I don't know about the UK, but in the US, if your picture is taken in public, you have no right to complain. Your knowledge and permission are not needed.

With all the paparazzi in the UK, I would presume, pictures taken in public are allowed.

 

depends what laws the webhosting company governs.

 

well, the hypothetical says UK, so we'll stick with that for now...

i will just clarify by saying that there is no such picture, or not of me anyway, i was just wondering what the legal position would be if there was.

 

No, in the UK it is subject to where the photo is taken. If it is taken whilst you are in a public place then there is no grounds for complaint. If it is taken when you are in a private place but are visible from public ground then it is a grey area and subject to the courts opinion on if it was an invasion of privacy or not. If you were on private land and the the photographer had to use 2400mm lens with a night scope attached then you are almost certainly have a case of invasion of privacy.

 

agreed to this

 

ok, so the general consensus is no then, i would have no legal recourse.

thanks guys, was just wondering is all

Laz

 

Unless they have modified the picture and it could be considered under deformation laws then no if taken in public.

 

Yea, i would ask for them to take it down immediatly. Then look into the legal books.

 

You know, Google has been having problems recently because of its Google Maps thing. But fortunately or unfortunately there's a law about pictures taken in public. I would definitely suggest contacting them and asking to take it down, but they have the authority to say "no". On the other hand, you can always use a "dirty PR" strategy posting threads like this with the reference to their website saying how unfair it is. Might work, might not. It depends on how angry you're because of this incident.

 

well to be honest, i wanted to use it to blackmail them into giving me a few freebie links, but as the pic isnt of me that might prove difficult anyway (its of a family member )

doesnt matter, i can still get the links