Facebook introduces method in India to protect profile photo from copying

Facebook has taken measures in India to prevent the copying of users’ profile pictures. For example, Android app users cannot take a screenshot of a protected photo.

It is unknown if the feature will come to other countries at a later stage. Facebook mentions that the feature is only for India for now, because users there were afraid to upload profile pictures because of the chance that others would copy and use them for other purposes.

Users will be prompted in their timeline to upload a protected profile picture. Users of Android apps cannot take screenshots of it and Facebook also makes it impossible to share, download or send the photo. The photos are recognizable by the blue line that runs around and the shield at the bottom.

If users do see abuse of their profile picture, they can inform Facebook and the abuser will be removed from the social network. The measure fits within Facebook’s strategy to develop more local initiatives.