WASHINGTON - Facebook, the popular online social-networking Web site with 150 million members, is running into some opposition to its new policy governing the ownership of photos uploaded to the site.

Under the new policy, which went into effect two weeks ago, Facebook claims the rights to any of the content posted on its site -- even if a user cancels its membership.

Tania Jackson loves staying in touch through the site, she doesn't like is its new policy.

"If I for some reason decide to leave the site, Facebook still owns those pictures and and that's not what I signed up for at all and I certainly didn't think there were for just anyone to use," she said.

Internet privacy group epic.org filed a complaint with the FTC Tuesday, hoping the agency will require Facebook to change its policy.

"We're not necessarily against people putting information online," EPIC's Marc Rotenberg said. "If you want to put up photos, if you want to put notes up that's really your choice. The key of course is that you maintain control."

But under Facebook's new rules, unrestricted use of photos without notice, and its poster's information, are fair game.

Many members are concerned.

"As a 23-year-old, having someone have control of my pictures is a problem for future employment," John Patton said.

Added Taysha Barberana, "I don't like it. I don't think it's right that they should have rights to my pictures. They're my pictures and I don't know what will happen to them once I don't become a member any more." 

 Email To Friend