Image Rights and Cybersecurity – What You Need to Know When Using Photos from the Internet

Images are everywhere – in presentations, on websites and on social media channels. But be careful: anyone using photos from the internet must not only respect copyright, but also protect themselves against hidden security risks.

Besides legal problems, manipulated image files also pose threats to IT security. Malware can hide behind seemingly harmless images and cause enormous damage.

This article shows you what to watch out for when using images – from both a legal and a security perspective.

Copyright: The Key Basics

Photos are generally protected by copyright (Section 2 of the German Copyright Act, UrhG). They may not be used without the creator’s consent. If you can’t obtain permission directly, these options help:

• Licensed images: When purchasing, make sure the usage rights are clearly defined.
• Your own photos: Here you have full control – except when people are recognizable. In such cases, consent is required.

If consent is withdrawn, it may become necessary to delete images – model release agreements reduce this risk.

Tip: Preferably use images that were created or licensed specifically for your purposes.

Exceptions: When Consent Is Not Required

By way of exception, consent is not required for:

• Images from the sphere of contemporary history
• People as “incidental” elements alongside landscapes
• Gatherings and processions
• Works of art with an overriding artistic interest

But note: These exceptions are interpreted narrowly – when in doubt, obtain consent.

Creative Commons Zero (CC0): Free Use – with Limitations

Images under a CC0 license can usually be used freely, even without attribution. However, a residual risk remains, since it is not always guaranteed that the uploader holds the necessary rights.

Recommendation: Use trustworthy platforms and verify the origin of the image for sensitive use cases.

Cybersecurity: Threats from Manipulated Images

Images can carry not only copyright risks but also security risks. Attackers increasingly use image files to disguise malware:

• Malicious code is hidden directly in image files (e.g., JPEGs)
• Malware can be executed unnoticed when the file is opened or inserted
• Systems that process images automatically are particularly at risk

Security measures:

• Only obtain images from trustworthy sources
• Scan them with up-to-date antivirus software before use
• Do not integrate unknown files into company systems

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and New Challenges for Image Rights

AI is also fundamentally changing how we handle images:

• AI-generated images: Who is the creator? Providers’ specific terms of use often apply.
• Deepfakes and image manipulation: Can violate personal rights and lead to legal disputes.
• Training on third-party images: Using AI tools can unintentionally infringe copyright.

Tip: Check the license terms of AI image generators carefully and label AI images transparently.

Conclusion

Anyone using images from the internet today needs to be doubly vigilant: respect copyright – and at the same time minimize IT security risks. A conscious approach protects your company not only legally, but also against cyberattacks.