to think museum should have asked permission

[ConfusedintheNorth]

So I'm visiting a museum that my family and I have visited and even volunteered at several times before, and was very surprised to see a photo of my 8 year old daughter on the front of all their 2015 leaflets... and not just in background it's a picture of her! Nobody asked for my permission to do this, and I feel a little angry that they thought it was ok to use my daughter's image like this with no thought about asking us or seeking permission... aibu?

[museumum]

IMO it is better that photos of children at risk just do not exist in the first place rather than trying to monitor usage months or maybe years down the line.

[ocelot41]

I agree museumum - sadly many museums, soft play spaces etc dont put those notices up. Or they do it with no prior warning on the website/ events diary so you have to haul the kids home immediately, when they have really been looking forward to a day out. And then you have to explain to them why you had to haul them home at short notice, which is pretty horrible too. Just wish more places had joined up thinking on these things!

[claraschu]

I guess I just wonder how real a risk this is. How often has a child been traced using photographs seen at a public attraction? A lot of people seem very worked up about their children's anonymous photos being seen in a magazine or publicity flyer, and I just don't see how this is dangerous. It does seem a bit overprotective to me. What harm does the OP, for instance, think could come to her child?

I have a friend who is a photographer, and she writes books about children's activities. She regularly has to reject pictures she would like to use because a random unidentified child snuck in to the picture, and she has no way of knowing who the parents are to ask permission to use the image.

[ocelot41]

I have more experience with personal photos put on the web - vulnerable youngsters ( and others who they know) often don't realise that digital photos contain metadata about when and where the image was taken which risks making them traceable. But I guess my experience makes me think that minimising any risks you can is always worth it.

[IsChippyMintonExDirectory]

OP - I work in PR and we do work with families of vulnerable children. We ALWAYS by law need a permission form signed to say it's OK to take a picture of their child - there are tick boxes to ask where and when the pictures can be used. This is for vulnerable and non-vulnerable children. It's the law, I can't quote which legislation exactly at the moment but I'm in work on Monday so can get back to you then if you like?

[IsChippyMintonExDirectory]

BTW to make it clear the permission form is for pictures used in our communications materials. I think the only exemption is press taking taking pictures of children to use in the paper

[ocelot41]

OP it is also worth bearing in mind that facial recognition software is now available so any photo of a child that gets posted online...scary, huh?