Q: Zillow has posted pictures with my children in 2 of them. No permission, and I don't even know where they got the pics.
I feel unsafe and violated.
A:
I understand why you would feel unsafe and violated by having photos of your children posted on Zillow without your permission. Here are some steps you can take:
1. Contact Zillow immediately and request they remove the photos. You can typically reach them via phone, email, or submit a request through their website. Explain that they posted private photos of your minor children without consent.
2. Check their privacy policy and terms of service for any language about unauthorized photos or privacy/safety concerns. Reference this in your communications with them.
3. If Zillow does not quickly remove the photos (within 24 hours ideally), send formal takedown notices citing privacy violations, safety concerns, and applicable laws prohibiting use of photos of minors without parental consent.
4. Report the unauthorized photos and privacy concerns to your state's attorney general's office or the FTC if issues persist in getting them removed. There may be applicable state privacy laws that further bolster your complaint.
5. You may wish to consult an attorney to review options for legal recourse if privacy/safety issues remain unaddressed by Zillow in a satisfactory manner.
I hope with formal takedown notices Zillow responds promptly to get the unauthorized photos removed. Pushing hard on child safety and privacy concerns tends to motivate websites.
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