[split] Image hosting options

[Spiderjon]

Release Announcement

Linux Lite 7.8 Final is now available for download.

I hope it's ok to mention that none of the images in the Release Announcement are viewable in the UK, as imgur has blocked access. See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gzxv5gy3qo

All people in the UK can see is a purple rectangle that says "Content not viewable in your region."

[valtam]

Release Announcement

Linux Lite 7.8 Final is now available for download.

I hope it's ok to mention that none of the images in the Release Announcement are viewable in the UK, as imgur has blocked access. See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gzxv5gy3qo

All people in the UK can see is a purple rectangle that says "Content not viewable in your region."

That's pretty sad, censorship is out of control.

[Spiderjon]

Release Announcement

Linux Lite 7.8 Final is now available for download.

I hope it's ok to mention that none of the images in the Release Announcement are viewable in the UK, as imgur has blocked access. See https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gzxv5gy3qo

All people in the UK can see is a purple rectangle that says "Content not viewable in your region."

That's pretty sad, censorship is out of control.

We're definitely living in some very weird times, yes.

But, that aside, would it be possible to host the images somewhere that everyone can see them?

Thanks.

[valtam]

You're very welcome to choose another image hoster, just make sure it has been around for a long time and it uses BBCODE. Wouldn't want to lose your images after a few months

[Spiderjon]

You're very welcome to choose another image hoster, just make sure it has been around for a long time and it uses BBCODE. Wouldn't want to lose your images after a few months

You misunderstand. 

The issue is that Linux Lite users in the UK can't see any of the images in your posts.

(I'd obviously have to choose another image host, should I wish to post any images, since I can't access imgur, after many years of using it).

[valtam]

Ah, I see what you mean.
Can you then please suggest a new image host with the criteria I listed above, and we can start using that.

[Spiderjon]

Ah, I see what you mean.
Can you then please suggest a new image host with the criteria I listed above, and we can start using that.

The two main options, in terms of longevity and BBCODE, would seem to be Postimages  and  ImgBB.

Thanks for your support with this.

[stevef]

Is it a potential problem for us in the UK that any image hosting site is subject to the same legislation as imgur ?
At some point - in order to comply with recent UK law - the site may implement age verification requirements or geo-block the UK.

[Spiderjon]

Is it a potential problem for us in the UK that any image hosting site is subject to the same legislation as imgur ?
At some point - in order to comply with recent UK law - the site may implement age verification requirements or geo-block the UK.

Hi Steve

I think it's a potential problem generally. More so, perhaps, for the UK currently, because the Online Safety Act (OSA) has been implemented, but there's a widespread trend to towards similar legislation around the world, which is going to make compliance pretty much essential, unless companies want to withdraw their services from huge areas, which is not exactly a strong business model.

The EU is pursuing a 'framework' approach for "online safety", which aims to combine the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA) with national legislation -‑ e.g. Germany's Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG), and similar regulations in France, Italy and Spain ‑‑  to achieve the same sort of thing as the UK's OSA.

The law firm Taylor Wessing has a useful overview of what they think might happen: "Online safety in 2026: enhancement and enforcement in the EU and UK" at https://www.taylorwessing.com/en/interfa...nforcement

Elsewhere, Australia and New Zealand are advancing laws that will require age verification and/or restrict access to social media by young people.

The problem is that national legislation is very likely to differ (more or less) from country to country, making it very hard for platforms to know exactly how to comply with them all -- see, e.g.  "Are new global age verification requirements creating a children's online safety legal patchwork?" at https://iapp.org/news/a/are-new-global-a...patchwork-