Was this an invasion of my privacy? Facebook? Take action?

[lovesintheair]

Some guy on Facebook who is NOT on my friends list and that I have never met or ever known in my entire life forwarded pictures of me to someone else without my permission. I don't even know how he saw my pictures to begin with because he is not my friend on Facebook. My plan is to send him a polite and short email and get right to the point, like a warning that I will take legal action if any of this happens again.

What are your opinions? Should I contact Facebook management? Is the email enough? What action should I take? What would you do?

I really want to SERVE his butt!! Stick it to him!
1. He is not in any of my friends networks.
2. My Facebook is private!
3. My pictures are not naughty or wrong.
4. I'm not planning on suing him.
5. I just want to warn him. He needs to back off. Freak him out a little.
6. He lives in London, England.
7. I have the proof. It was sent through an email and just by a stroke of luck, I stumbled upon it.

[Andrew]

hmmm he is probably a friend to one of your friend

check and see if he is in your network or one of your friends' friend

[hotwheels122287]

first, any picture that is put on the internet can be found, even if its on facebook. so dont assume that just cuz hes not your friend that he cant get to your pictures somewhere else. if he was just forwarding the pictures (depending on what they are actually of) i see no crime BUT he did not ask you for permission and i would seek legal help in this situation. if the pictures are harmless then it shouldnt be an issue but if they are, 1. they shouldnt be on the internet 2. call a lawyer....

[IceBreaker27]

I'm not sure how you'd be able to sue him - you yourself put these images on the web. How can you show that you had a reasonable expectation of privacy? Remember, you have to show that you had a reasonable expectation of privacy first, then go on to show how it was invaded.

[._.]

I don't think you should take legal action yet, of course, but if this guy doesn't apologize, ignores the email or even if he doesn't apologize appropriately and correctly, definitely contact facebook. If you don't feel satisfied with his apology (if you even receive one), contacting facebook management would be a good idea. who knows, maybe they will be the ones who take legal action for you. that was an invasion of privacy and it's creepy and wrong. :/

[k.rogers82]

I was always under the impression that if photos were posted on facebook or anywhere on the internet - it is at your risk.

Different story if he put the pictures on the internet without your consent but unless you have copyrites on those pictures - i think they are fair game.

I know it doesnt seem fair - but they should have been put in a "private" file accessible only by friends.

I could be wrong though.

[dancing_smurf]

You need to check your settings on Facebook to ensure it is private throughout. Do you have only friends who can see your information or is it everyone? If it is everyone then that is how he has seen it. If it is sent in an email then you need to adjust your settings further.

From my perspective I would not send him an email and just contact Facebook. However if you do contact him best thing is to do is politely inform him that your pictures are owned by you and that you retain the rights to them. Also I would in an indirect way state something like, "since I am the copyright owner of the photos and entitled to legal protection I do reserve the right to take the appropriate action to enforce my rights" The reality here is this read your Facebook agreement (Terms of Service) in regard to posting photos. I am sure there is some license you give or right to use which would make any claim difficult. Since he claiming to be in London you could try to argue with him that he is violating your Article 8 Rights (right to privacy) and Article 10 (Freedom of Expression) under the Human Rights Act 1998.

Article 8(1) States, "Everyone has the right to respect for his private and family life, his home and his correspondence."

Article 10 (1)States, " Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers..."

My advice would be do not threaten legal action unless you are fully prepared to hire an attorney to fight this.