Think you personal pics are safe on myLot?
By BayleighGray
@BayleighGray (4334)
United States
October 24, 2007 3:37pm CST
I did, I thought my profile was MY space and that I was just being friendly and sharing bits of myself with my fellow myLotters. After all, I was here to socialize, meet new people and have some fun. Not be victimized and cyber stalked.
Well, someone saved one of my pics and used it as their avatar and then went around myLot posting with it. Talk about fuming! They didnt just take a pic of me, they took a pic of me and my hubby, he has nothing to do with myLot, so why involve him? Thankfully myLot was responsive and removed the comments and Im not sure if they user wised up and removed the avatar, or if myLot did. But its gone now.
So this is just a warning to all of you who have personal pix of yourself, your kids or your family to beware. If you p!ss someone off, they can save your pix to their pc and do God knows what with them. Ive since removed all my photos from my profile.
What do you think of myLot making it where your pictures on your profile are safe from this type of abuse? Do you think you should have the right to share these without them being picked up and saved by some low life with a meaningless existence to exploit you?
Bay xx
7 people like this
15 responses
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
25 Oct 07
Oh my goodness I am in total shock. I am so sorry this happened to you. Who would do such a thing. I am so glad you got it straightened out with Mylot and hope the person was banned. I have always been very cautious because I had heard of creepy people on the internet but never thought it would happen on Mylot. This is outrageous!
2 people like this
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
26 Oct 07
Whether or not you should have known this is immaterial. So now it is a case of "blaming the victim". I would not have believed Mylot users would stoop so low.
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
26 Oct 07
I thought so too Linda. I mean what a crappy feeling to have to be suspicious of everyone you meet because of one persons actions. I like it here on myLot, and I never thought that it would come to anything like this. Thank you for your support!
Bay xx
2 people like this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
26 Oct 07
Hi Lindalinda,
Yes myLot was very responsive! Luckily I was on the site when this took place and was able to report them quickly. According to some other commenters on here I "should have known this, everyone knows this"....lol I know tempers flare on here, not everyone agrees, but to take a pic and visciously use it is just rediculous! I will be more careful in the future with what I post on my profile here on myLot.
Bay xx
2 people like this
@RosieS57 (889)
• United States
25 Oct 07
BTDT and I've got the hat and the T-shirt, both. I never use personal photos on tthe 'Net any more and my avatar anywhere is never a pic. I guess this one is not attractive enuff to steal, eh?? LOL
I went thru a stalker photoshopping my face on a different huge body and posting it on a ton of sites. It told everyone more about my stalker than it did about me...but it certainly wasn't a pleasant experience.
Since then, if I've wanted to share pix, it has been by e-mail or snail mail only with my closest friends.
Ya live and learn, Bay!
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
26 Oct 07
Hiya Rosie!!
LOL Yes I lived and I learned! Im really sorry to hear about your experience, that was much worse than what happened with me. That is just silly and so uncalled for. Your right it does tell a lot more about the person that did this than it does you!
Well now that we both have learned, this will never happen to either of us again! And I hope to no one else here on myLot or anyother site where they feel they are just sharing themselves on a social site. So much for being social, you have to be private and keep to yourself. I think Im just too open and trusting at times.
Bay xx
2 people like this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
26 Oct 07
Rosie, I meant to ask you....I can be slow at times.
What does BTDT mean? LOL
Bay xx
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11643)
• United States
31 Oct 07
WHEW!! This plussing thing is hard!!! But it's worth it!!!
I guess I wasn't ever that worried about it before, but now that would bother me... I mean, my pic is me, it's my trademark and I wouldn't want anyone to use it for something bad and people would think it's me... It's pretty hard to police it though, I don't know that there's a way for a website admin to make the pics not savable... Thanks for scaring the bejesus out of me...
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
31 Oct 07
All this plussing is going to put you to bed sooner! lol Its going to wear you out.
Yeah I was too trusting really. I mean people can make you mad, but that doesnt mean you have to go that far. Talk about no life!!
Well Im sure you wont piss someone off like I did. I have a habit of NOT holding my "finger". LOL I pretty much and blunt and to the point, say whats on my mind. Gets me in trouble sometimes. ;o)
2 people like this
@dpk262006 (58678)
• Delhi, India
25 Oct 07
Thanks for enlightening us. Anything is possible in this world. I have not posted my own pictures on my profile. I was really hesistant to do so. If any of my friends here ask me...I do send him/her my photo.
Wonderful and informative post of all of us!
Full marks to you!
Deepak
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58678)
• Delhi, India
30 Oct 07
I understand that you are very caring and nice. We should not misuse anyone's photos etc.
Have a nice day!
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
26 Oct 07
Thank you DPK!
Im not a complete idiot as some have assumed I am here. I just thougth that respect would be given to my personal photos. I guess you can call me dumb for being a bit trusting, I can accept that. I would never do this to anyone, no matter how upset they made me.
Bay xx
3 people like this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
26 Oct 07
Wow...thanks a heap for making me aware of this. I have been here for 5 months now and have felt comfortable enough in the last month or so to post more personal photos. Up to now it has seemed to be fine...but after what happened to you maybe it wasn't such a good idea after all.
I tend to be trusting too and assumed that when Mylot says...'do you have a right to post these images' that they have some way of making sure members images will not be used and abused.
This is a REALLY good thing to know and I will be less inclined to add personal images of my hubby and I after this as well. It is a little scary to think someone had the guts to take an image of you and your hubby and post it as THEIR avatar. That sounds too bizarre! Did they think you wouldn't see it...or someone who had been on your site wouldn't make you aware of it.
Perhaps we all need to cover each other's backs if we see anyone else doing anything as sneaky and dishonoring.
Great to know...thanks for caring enough to keep the rest of us up to speed!
Raia
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
27 Oct 07
Sometimes people judge assertive people as being b@#tchy..but I don't see it that way. You were the one who was taken advantage of...I would be livid if that happened to me too. Good for you that you made sure that the situation was handled and that other Mylotters know that it could happen to them to.
Your experiences have been making me consider whether I should delete some of the photos I have posted of me, David, our friends. It is very disappointing to think that a site like this would have those who could take away the sense of openness and trust that is here within most of the exchanges.
Anyway, I think you did us all a favor...and thanks. It was the same reason I posted my discussion about the forwards and value you input there. We have to look out for each other and make sure this site is one we will all want to continue coming to. Overall I love it...but there are things that give reason to pause alright.
Good to have a new friend like you!
So long..
Raia
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
28 Oct 07
Im just didnt want to see this happen with anyone else. It was making me shake in my chair I was close to tears I was so upset.
I dont think you will have any problems though Raia, I mean your way too kind to upset anyone to this extent. I was being a b!tch to them becuase they were verbally picking on a very nice young lady from another country. That is just uncalled for, thanks again for your support!
Bay xx
2 people like this
@Toni_07 (175)
• United States
25 Oct 07
No matter how you look at it, it is STALKING,i dont like it, and if were you i would tell Tim about it. That is toooo friggin weird. Mylot should have a privacy thing, where we can set our pages at private....you know like other sites we know. Be Careful!! Love you,Toni xoxoxox
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
25 Oct 07
Oh no I cant tell him! He dont care that Im on here and stuff, but he will snap! He will have me staying off here if I do that! lol Yes I have my other page to private so no one can come along and take anything, you know I know everyone on there personally!
Love you 2 xx
3 people like this
@Toni_07 (175)
• United States
25 Oct 07
Ohhh ok, well nevermind telling Tim then...bad idea. As for the other site i know everyone personally also except a few people, like Keith Urban and Mary J. Blige..ya know??
Anyway,its just a shame you have to look over your shoulder all the time,when all you are doing is trying to make new friends. xoxox
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
25 Oct 07
I know, Ive learned my lesson thats for sure!! xx
2 people like this
@highflyingxangel (9225)
• United States
25 Oct 07
The thing about the internet is, posting your pictures or any sort of personal information where anyone can get ahold of it, definitely makes the whole entire internet unsafe. Mylot, just like any other website, is public domain which means anything you post online can be taken and used by people for other pursuits. Being careful of where you place your information is definitely key.
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
25 Oct 07
Hi High! hehe
Very true, lesson well learned here! I guess I was just being trusting of people to not mess with your personal things. Other than being a complete jerk, what good would it do someone? You know? I just see so many people on here with personal pix and now that this has happened to me, I wanted people to be aware that it IS possible.
Thanks! :)
Bay xx
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
24 Oct 07
I try not to piss anyone off, but I do have mu own opinion. I do have my photo as my avatar but unless someone on myLot was on the Alaskan Cruise and they were sitting at the table with us, I doubt they would do anything because they were nice people. The thing is not showing your photo makes people think you are afraid and I do not want to be taken as fearful. At least, I find that the African-Americans, Filipinos, and Chinese are not, plus some other nationalities so why should people who are white Americans or Canadian women be terrified to put up a photo taken at an nonidentical spot? One photo should be enough and it should not be in your home setting. The photo was taken of me on ship, way in the middle of the ocean (or the strait) with no other identical objects around, so no one is going to look at the background and know what street I live in, what house we have, etc.
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
25 Oct 07
Thanks suspenseful. I dont try either, well ok with the person who I think it was I did try. They were just going from discussion to discussion being so rude and not really putting anything of worth into the disucssion. Thats all I basically said to them, and then all the drama began. My star rating went to pot and I was being followed around myLot. Every disucssion I went too, there were there making more lude and rude comments.
Regardless, that doesnt give them the right to take my photo and use it. Well I hope that I have taken care of it, Ive removed them all and I wont be putting up anymore.
Bay xx
2 people like this
@sophylline (1041)
• Philippines
25 Oct 07
Yikes! This is why I am very careful of uploading my personal pictures. Am I glad I have been a little careful. Though I have uploaded one which is not too clear, though but still personal I think I will aslo have to remove it, now that you have mentioned your experience. You have made the right thing to remove all your personal pictures at once. And thank you by the way for informing us here.
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
26 Oct 07
Hello Sophylline,
And thank you! I really woudnt like to see this happen to anyone else on here. No matter how upset I would get at someone. For no reason would I take something that belonged to someone else and visciously use it as "pay back".
Bay xx
2 people like this
@contuletz2007 (734)
• Romania
24 Oct 07
Unfortunately there are many sick people around us and their minds can think of things you can never imagine.
I was always afraid of posting pictures of me (especially alone) on the internet, God knows what kind of freak finds it, edits it and then posts it on some adult site... Things like these can happen and it's awful. But like I said, there are many weirdos in this world.
As for my pics on myLot, I sure do hope they're safe, I posted them for myself and my friends but who knows...
Mylot should modify the site so that the pictures can't be saved in another computer, it's safer that way and I've seen many sites doing this.(especially those e-cards sites)
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
24 Oct 07
Hi Contuletz,
Well honey I hope that no one has taken any of your pix. I dont like feeling vulverable and they certainly accomplished that! Im just going to believe in Karma and this person will get theirs 10 fold. Ive seen it happen too many times so I think it will happen to them or something worse. Im hoping for the worse here....lol
I do think that myLot should design the site to take care of this problem. I sure hope that they do.
Bay xx
2 people like this
@swetha2rani (341)
• India
24 Oct 07
Thanks for the warning BayleighGray, it is really helpful for everyone on MyLot coz' such people should be removed from these groups. I donno how can they do such stuff. Should be more careful now.
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
24 Oct 07
Your welcome, I was really shocked to see that they were following me around myLot and posting with a pic of me and my hubby!! I immediately removed them. Im just wondering how many of the other ones they took too. Worries me.
Bay xx
2 people like this
@dimaks (786)
• Japan
28 Oct 07
this must serve us big lesson to look into before posting anything personal over the internet. as much as possible, refrain from doing it. this is "internet" where various minds, hands and personalities lurk around. learn how many percent of your personal life you want to put online and for the rest of the world to see.
1 person likes this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
31 Oct 07
Hi Dimaks!
Well no more thats for sure!! What I do have posted is only available to friends that I know outside of the internet, people that I have known for many years and trust whole heartedly.
lesson learned here! Bay xx
1 person likes this
@laurika (4532)
• United States
25 Oct 07
Hi my friend.
at first i want to tell you , thank you for sharing with us.I think this is very important for others to not a have personal pictures here.But I just cannot believe somebody would do think like that and just stole picture from your profile and then just starting useing it.How rude.
You know I was thinking about puting there some pictures of me, but I forget to do it.Now I am happy.
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
25 Oct 07
Hey girl!
Im sure you wouldnt have any problems Laurika, but if you do make sure they are copy written or something before you do. I guess if I was more like you then I wouldnt have had this problem, but Im not, so Im dealing with it. lol
I upset someone who was dishing it out but not able to handle it when someone else dished it back to them. Your not like this. But just to be on the safe side, I wouldnt. You just never know what someone will do just because they are bored or whatever.
Bay xx
2 people like this
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
25 Oct 07
HI, Ill try!
On your profile page, you can upload pictures of anything you would like. I had some pictures of me and bits of my life on my profile. I came across someone being really rude to some people on here for no reason at all, and shortly after I said something to them a new user signs up on myLot with a profile and one of my pictures off my profile. They stole my picture, then followed me around mylot commenting behind every comment I left on other discussions.
I had no idea that anyone could come along and download personal pictures on users profiles here. But I do now, and Im letting everyone know so this doesnt happen to anyone else.
Is that better? :)
Bay xx
2 people like this
@venkatcse (234)
• India
26 Oct 07
Only one Question
If it is Personal, then why do u post those pics in Public.
If Anything u post in website for public then it wont be personal
@BayleighGray (4334)
• United States
26 Oct 07
Then what do you consider photos of yourself? Duh, personal photos. They werent photos of my friggin neighbors. LOL I didnt get them from someone else and post them, they are mine, i.e., personal. Geesh and I thought I was slow.
Bay xx
2 people like this
