Not to be outdone by other online heavyweights, MySpace has announced plans to acquire Photobucket and Flektor. Six weeks ago MySpace was blocking Photobucket content from its users profiles. The block was eventually lifted and I guess we now know why.

While MySpace was by far the primary location for Photobucket content, it wasn’t the only one. According to The Washington Post, Photobucket will “become part of” MySpace. What does that mean for Photobucket users who aren’t MySpace users? Hopefully the two services will remain separate enough to allow people to use one without being forced to use the other.

The move makes good business sense for MySpace. I’m questioning the impact on some users (although I realize it’ll probably be a good move for most). But it also underscores a concern of mine that’s been cropping up more and more over the past year as more and more start-ups are being acquired by larger corporations (MySpace is an acquired start-up itself).

We spend a lot of time talking about websites, services, and companies that you can use to help grow your site. I’ve talked about diversifying your content and your personal information across a number of services instead of putting all your eggs in one basket.

But all of that is a moot point if you can’t be sure that your information will be owned by the same entity a year from now. I guess you can never know for sure, especially when you’re dealing with relatively small companies.

It makes me wonder if we shouldn’t avoid start-ups until they become acquired by someone. Only then will we ultimately know into who’s hands our stuff is going. I like having control over my information. But with every little start-up out there just hoping and praying that they’ll be acquired… I lose that control.

Am I over-reacting?