Troy, OH asked in Communications Law and Internet Law for Ohio

Q: Social media rights to accounts on facebook

You

Shouldn't people on social media such as fb have rights to there account. Even though you don't directly pay fb they allow adds that are forced on you and there collecting money because of you seeing them. So your essentially making money for fb and should be at minimum considered a employee of fb since your actions result in payments being made to them on your behalf. It seems like this should give you rights to your social media account.

1 Lawyer Answer
Jason Brooks
Jason Brooks
Answered
  • Communications & Internet Law Lawyer
  • los angeles, CA

A: Their ability to make money through your use is precisely why you are able to use it for free. Other paid platforms and services give you more rights and control. With that said, you still do retain a copyright in any picture or content you post (to the extent it’s your original — or licensed — picture or content ), and you also have the ability to adjust your privacy settings to limit how they use your information.

If you are unhappy with the way a free service conducts its business, you can always just delete your account and not use the service anymore.

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