It sounds like they have hot linking an image confused with simply providing a link. The latter is no different than saying to someone: “Hey, did you see this arricle in the Times?”
If I am a creator with content on the web, don’t I WANT people to see it? Links provide “word-of-mouth” publicity.
I am a craftsperson with products for sale and an author with novels on Amazon. Please, please share links to my work!! Post my work on Pinterest!
Thank you!