New York Homeowners Warned: Old Listing Photos Could Put Privacy at Risk

Most of us take privacy pretty seriously. There’s comfort in knowing your home is your space, a place where you can shut the door, relax, and breathe. That’s why it’s unsettling to learn that one of the biggest threats to your privacy might not come from someone walking down your street, but from someone scrolling through your old home listing online.

A new national study uncovered something that’s making a lot of homeowners stop and think. Across the country, and especially right here in New York, people are realizing that those once innocent real estate photos might be exposing a lot more than they ever intended. In fact, 83% of New York homeowners say there should be laws requiring real estate websites to delete photos once a home is sold. And honestly, can you blame them?

When a Zillow Scroll Turns Into a Security Risk

We’ve all done it: browsing Zillow just to see what homes are selling for around town or checking out a lakefront dream home we’ll probably never buy. But here’s the part most of us don’t think about: those same photos that make us say “wow” could also be giving strangers a detailed look inside someone’s home… maybe even yours.

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Tony Gilbert, founder of real estate firm Hypewired, put it bluntly: “These aren’t just pretty Zillow photos anymore, they’re blueprints of where families live.” He’s right. Listing photos reveal everything from floor plans to back doors, and once they’re online, they can stay there long after new owners move in.

When Old Photos Become a Criminal’s Roadmap

The numbers in this new survey are pretty alarming. Out of 2,000 people polled, 69% said privacy is their top concern and 69% said safety and for good reason. Police departments across the country have already warned that burglars are using real estate sites to scope out homes.

Even worse, the FBI’s Boston office recently linked old listing photos to a spike in online rental scams. Scammers have been stealing old photos, reposting them on fake rental listings, and tricking people into paying deposits for homes that don’t even exist. “That’s not hypothetical,” Gilbert said. “It’s happening right now.” And the scary part? Those photos could still be out there, connected to your old address, and you’d have no idea.

Expectant Parents Sound the Loudest Alarm

Out of everyone surveyed, one group stood out, expectant parents. Eighty-seven percent of them said states should make it a law to remove old listing photos after a home is sold. “When you’re preparing to bring a newborn into the world, you think about safety differently,” Gilbert explained. And he’s right. If you’re expecting, the last thing you want is pictures of your nursery, or your entire home layout, floating around online for anyone to see.

Who Really Owns the Photos of Your Home?

Here’s the question that’s got people talking: once you buy a home, who should decide what happens to those photos? Most people, about 61%, believe the new buyer should get to choose. After all, it’s their home now. But only 23% think the seller should have that power, 8% trust real estate agents to handle it, and just 3% say MLS associations should be in charge.

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“Once you buy a home, you expect to own the photos too,” Gilbert said. “But right now, that’s rarely the case.” And that feels especially frustrating in New York, where homeownership already comes with enough red tape. It just makes sense, if you bought it, you should control it.

Why Those Old House Photos Never Seem to Go Away

So, why do those old listing photos keep popping up years after a home sells? The short answer: money. Real estate sites like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin make their money from clicks, and old listings still get a lot of them. The more people browse, the more ad revenue those sites make.

What many homeowners don’t realize is that when they sign their listing agreement, they often give the agent or brokerage a “forever license” for those photos. That means even when a home changes hands, those pictures can legally stay online. The seller moves on, but the buyer, the person actually living there, is the one left exposed. And really, that’s just not right.

Will New York Lead the Charge for Change?

The idea that someone else can profit off photos of your home doesn’t sit well with most people in New York. And while this conversation may have started at the national level, it’s New York that’s leading the charge for change.

“Consumers are saying loud and clear: balance marketing with safety, or we’ll demand laws to do it for you,” Gilbert said. And given how strong New Yorkers’ voices can be when they rally around an issue, it’s not hard to imagine this one gaining momentum fast.

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What You Can Do Right Now to Protect Yourself

If the thought of old photos of your home still being online makes you uneasy, there are a few steps you can take right now. Start by asking your real estate agent to contact your MLS and request that your photos be removed once your sale closes. You can also reach out directly to Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin to have your listing taken down. Then, do a quick Google search of your address. If old photos still show up, you can request that Google remove cached images. It takes a few minutes, but it’s worth the peace of mind.