From privacy policy changes on Facebook to pedophiles lurking on MySpace, we count 8
of the biggest internet controversies.
8.
Google Street View and Privacy
On Google Maps, users have the ability to go to what’s called “street view”, which
can be a handy tool for many reasons.
But others aren’t impressed.
The issue of Google invading the privacy of others was raised in 2007, when a California
woman entered her address and looked at her house on street view.
When she zoomed into her window, her cat was found looking out of it.
It wasn’t that her cat was visible on Google, but the cameras Google uses to capture the
images could easily shoot through someone’s window.
Other pictures that were captured on street view included two young woman sunbathing in
bikinis, and a man climbing over a fence at an apartment building.
Google has said that they take other people’s privacy seriously, and that the images they
capture can be seen just as easily as if someone was walking down the street.
7.
Amazon vs LGBT Books
Amazon found itself in the face of controversy back in 2009 when its selection of gay and
lesbian-themed books suddenly disappeared from their sales charts.
The reason it disappeared from its sales charts and, as a result, from their ‘product search’
function, was because Amazon wanted to be considerate of their entire customer base,
according to a representative from Amazon, who was responding to an e-mail from author
Mark R. Probst.
However, the only books they categorized as being too ‘adult’ were books with gay
and lesbian themes.
Many authors of said books even noticed their best-seller rankings disappear as a result.
Amazon later said that it was really due to a glitch and apologized, though many people
still weren’t happy.
By the way, one book that didn’t lose its ranking was titled, “A Parent’s Guide
To Preventing Homosexuality”.
Hmm…
6.
Net Neutrality
The principle of net neutrality simply means having an open internet, where users can have
easy access to the full internet without any regard to the websites they visit, apps they
use, and more.
But in 2014, chairman Tom Wheeler, of the FCC, had a plan that would allow various service
providers – such as AT&T and Comcast – to create pay-to-play fast lanes.
In other words, it would give preference to certain companies – such as Netflix or Amazon
– over others.
Comcast once limited bandwidth if users didn’t use their app to stream shows on their Xbox
360s.
They went on to deny that it violated net neutrality because they run their app on their
private network.
Due to public outcry, the plan was tossed.
Instead, internet users received strong protection when a new plan based on Title II of the Communications
Act was approved by Wheeler.
5.
MySpace Pedophiles
Remember MySpace?
Back in the mid-2000s, it was one of the most popular social networking sites.
But a problem arose when people gradually realized that it could be used as a hunting
ground for pedophiles.
There have been cases where teenagers were sexually assaulted by pedophiles who found
them on MySpace.
It seems like teenagers put too much private information about themselves, as well as post
pictures of themselves in provocative clothing and poses.
What’s worse… their profiles are made public for all to see.
Now does this excuse pedophiles?
Of course not.
In 2009, MySpace even reported that over the course of two years, that 90,000 registered
sex offenders had been kicked off the site!
Also – and unfortunately – MySpace isn’t the only social networking site where pedophiles
have accounts.
For instance, thousands of them were found to be using Facebook.
Careful on social networking sites!
4.
The Fine Bros
You knew this one would appear on this list sooner or later.
In early 2016, The Fine Bros found themselves in quite a bit of controversy.
In case you’re not familiar with them, they’re YouTubers who are well-known in creating various
“react” videos.
Well, in January of 2016 they announced that they would be trademarking the word “react”,
which is prominent in several other YouTube videos that have absolutely no affiliation
with videos produced by The Fine Bros. Such videos ended up with a Content ID claim, courtesy
of The Fine Bros. As you can imagine, this created quite an uproar on YouTube, with approximately
675,000 users unsubscribing from the channels.
In February, The Fine Bros posted a video stating that they had rescinded the trademark
applications and the Content ID claims… but the damage had already been done.
3.
Craigslist Prostitutes
Whether it’s tracking down stolen merchandise, or investigating a murder where the killer
used the site to find victims, Craigslist has always been on law enforcement’s radar.
One thing Craigslist got in deep trouble for was prostitution.
No, they weren’t knowingly letting prostitution rings advertise on their site.
It turns out that Craigslist once had an “Erotic Services” category where such advertisements
would be posted.
This lead to several arrests of prostitutes and their clients.
It also lead to law enforcement accusing Craigslist of empowering prostitution.
The accusation has, of course, been denied by the site.
However, Craigslist has since changed their “Erotic Services” category with an adult-oriented
area, which is constantly monitored by employees.
A judge had even stated that Craigslist, in the end, was not responsible for prostitution
ads.
2.
Facebook’s Privacy Changes
Facebook might be the most popular – and widely used – social media site on the internet,
had faced some controversy back in 2009.
The controversy they faced had to do with their changing the Terms of Service, which
basically made users believe that whatever personal content was posted, Facebook had
a right to use it in any way they deemed fit.
This included if a user deleted said content.
As you can imagine, this caused quite an uproar, with people calling the change a violation
of privacy.
Even though Mark Zuckerberg tried to calm everyone down by trying to explain the change
in a clearer way, where the change just meant Facebook would share your information with
your friends and nobody else, people weren’t buying it.
In the end, Facebook reverted back to their original Terms of Service.
1.
Napster and Copyright Infringement
Anyone remember Napster?
If not, it was an online service where users could share digital audio files in MP3 format.
This was in the early days of downloading music and, at the time, seemed like a good
idea… but then the controversy set in.
The creators of Napster – Shawn Fanning, John Fanning, and Sean Parker – failed to
realize their new creation was a hot bed for copyright infringement.
The company’s legal troubles began when Metallica found that a demo of their song,
“I Disappear”, was circulating around the network.
Radio stations began playing the song prior to the song’s release.
As you can imagine, this resulted in Metallica filing a lawsuit against Napster.
Dr. Dre also filed a lawsuit against Napster, because they refused to remove his songs from
their service despite a written request.
With these and other lawsuits, Napster shut its electronic doors in 2002 after a court
ruled that they had to pay music creators and copyright owners $26 million.
Okay guys, as usual we’re going to end todays video with a question.
“What’s the biggest risk you took that ended badly?”
let us know in the reddit page linked below and you might be featured in a future countdown