In this context (data moving to the computer), uploading and copying are exactly the same.

No reason. Use whatever you like. See my comment. :) It's all personal choice. Data is now everywhere: a common thing for everyone. We already use physical analogues for data operations. There is not "correct" any more except for what people expect to hear. Use anything you want that makes sense for your mental image of what's happening. . I think the computer you use will still say "uploading" and "dowloading" sometimes when things take time. So I think that sort of makes even those old terms ok to use. :)

You have received multiple responses from different perspectives. I think what you are seeing is that the jargon used and how strongly they think the "correct" (according to them) jargon should be used is regional, personal, local. That is, everyone will have their own opinion on "modern" and "old" jargon. Both terms are fine. I think the most important point is that the actions you are talking about have stopped being geek territory, for computer nerds and such as myself, and are now everyday and every minute things. As such the general population will decide what language they use, technically "correct" or not. Copy the photo to your computer. Copy it to the cloud. Upload it to the computer. Upload it to the cloud. Send it to the cloud. Post it on social media Upload it to facebook (OMG, so dated) . I work in an area of data files, clouds, IOT, media, streams,signal, ... and on and on. I hear all these words every day. Use the ones you like, or suit what you think your audience is happiest with.

Do not be alarmed! These terms (uploading/downloading. etc) are frequently associated with context referring to computers and electronics. It doesn't necessarily mean that you CAN'T use copying or transferring, or any other synonymous verb to convey her actions. Here are some examples: Anna is transferring a photo to her computer. Anna is uploading a photo to her computer. But to use copying, you should also address where the original is being copied from. Anna is copying a photo from her phone to her computer. Anna is moving a photo from her phone to her computer. Anna is duplicating a photo from her phone to her computer. Anna is duplicating a photo to her computer (Who? Anna is.) (What is anna doing? Anna is duplicating.) (What is anna duplicating? A photo) (Where is anna doing this? Her computer)

"Uploading" is somewhat dated. It was used in the 1980s when people connected to remote mainframes and downloaded and uploaded files. "Downloading" music is a modern example. Today, people have computers (and tablets and phones) within reach and the details of whether a file, a song, or a photo is stored locally or on the cloud is generally irrelevant. "Copying" is a common phrase in Canada. I haven't heard "uploading" or "downloading" for many years.