Good morning Akin and you have raised a good issue that should be explored and as I am understanding what you have said( please correct me if I am wrong) can a social network, a company make money off your profile image?
Here are the facts as I am aware of them and hopefully will give you another point of view.
Every company,every social network (online but to a certain extent offline) keeps an eye on the demographics of every user or customer in their data base. When understanding the demographics of people, then that company or network can tailor their advertising to a specific person based on their age, where they live, their gender and their interests. Facebook is especially noted for this and many an outcry has occurred ( which is why Facebook had to further add on privacy settings.) Google also does it, but in a different manner.
Adlandpro also has the ability to know demographics as shown here and will give and an interesting point of view... by the way, not just what the owner knows, but what everyone on Adlandpro can know about the people who come to this site.
Images -> specifically profile images
Can a company or social network make money off of a persons profile image?
At this point I am going to say no for the simple reason that there would be no monetary value to a profile image. The only person who stands to benefit from a profile image is you and showing you as a credible resource or person to talk to.
Most companies today are now starting to change their stance on showing the human side to their companies or social networks...take Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, just as an example
its called brand recognition and and important aspect to being on line whether you are working or even just socializing.
The topic of this forum is about those people who for whatever reason are reluctant to show their faces in public ( for lack of a better wording). I feel we all need to respect that, I really do, but here is a counter question to you...when you show a NO face what are you telling people? It is a bit of a contradiction to saying I want to make money online, I want people to come to me, but hell no not showing my face ( see what I mean?)
If you do not want to show your "face" I would rather a person do as I know many others have done, put up an avatar or the logo of the company your are representing....both of those options are very workable and doable.
I am unsure if I have really answered what you were wanting, but felt that giving my point of view would help,if not you personally others who are trying to figure out the issue of images..personal images and the pros and cons to the debate.
PS just to let you know there are computers being made (already working models) that will be able to recognize your face in moments and the information will not come from social networks, but through government agencies ( drivers licences etc.)