For the thousands of travel advisors who are not fans of travel influencers, this tale may well be consumed with a side of schadenfreude.
A pair of travel influencers were shocked to receive a lengthy list detailing almost “20 fineable offences” over photos they had posted on Instagram months earlier.
According to PetaPixel, Britt and Tim Cromie have been issued a warning following a visit to Uluru, or Ayers Rock, one of the most photographed landmarks in Australia, and ordered to delete the images taken there.
According to their Instagram post, “despite our best intentions, the signage on the ground wasn’t clear enough to guide our decisions.”
Creators may believe they're following obvious rules, but many locations—and social platforms—have nuanced legal guidelines governing photography, filming, and content sharing. Actions innocuous in everyday life, such as picking up branches or capturing wide landscape shots, can breach local environmental or cultural laws.
Posting content without proper permits, violating copyright, or neglecting to disclose sponsorships can lead to fines, takedowns, and even lawsuits—sometimes months after content is published.
In a blog post by Springer Law Firm, “Influencer marketing continues to grow, but it brings serious legal obligations.”
The advice for publishing any images is to research all relevant laws before filming or posting. Secure necessary permits or licenses, and respect the cultural or privacy sensitivities of your environment. Always disclose sponsored content clearly, and ensure permissions for any third-party media in your work. When uncertain, err on the side of caution: review platform terms and local regulations, and, if in doubt, refrain from posting.
Failing to understand local laws and platform regulations can result in unexpected and costly consequences. Here at Open Jaw, we have personally experienced fines for using an image provided by a hotel supplier and are well-acquainted with the pitfalls. Poster beware.
