MySpace or YourSpace?
This week’s move by MySpace to block video widgets from Photobucket may begin a mass exodus for the social networking giant.
Freedom of expression has been the building block of success for MySpace and now that freedom is being restricted…again…a gradual process that began by limiting the users’ ability to embed content such as music and video players: Tila Tequila, Revver and now Photobucket.
What everyone wants to know is – “what’s next?”
In a recent statement, MySpace commented that it “allows its users to embed video, slide shows, and other features from third parties so long as they comply with our terms of service.”
If this is the case, then the terms of service go against one of the key principles of Web 2.0 – giving users the ability to own data and exercise control over that data.
It is time for MySpace to open up and begin forging relationships with companies like Photobucket — users should have the freedom to mix and match services in MySpace. If the company continues to take its name so literally, they could end up being the only ones left there…