instagram logo, from Nov. 2010
Instagram updated their Terms of Use which will allow the company to sell your pictures, as part of their strategy to start monetizing the app, which we have all been aware of:
Some or all of the Service may be supported by advertising revenue. To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you. If you are under the age of eighteen (18), or under any other applicable age of majority, you represent that at least one of your parents or legal guardians has also agreed to this provision (and the use of your name, likeness, username, and/or photos (along with any associated metadata)) on your behalf.
On top of that, the phrase that says “along with any associated metadata” means anything related to your Instagram account is up for grabs by its parent company Facebook, which means data mining your information.
The Instagram blog mentions the updates will help it “function more easily as part of Facebook by being able to share info between the two groups.” Not only that, these changes will help “protect you, and prevent spam and abuse as we grow.”
People have been up in arms over this policy change, which brings into light the price users pay when an app is free. It actually reminds me of WhatsApp’s policy it has long stated as to why they charge for their popular messaging app, instead of making it a free app loaded with ads:
Remember, when advertising is involved you the user are the product.
That’s pretty much it with any free app. Your information is always up for grabs.
So as a user you have a choice if you don’t agree with these new terms. Delete your Instagram account. It’s that simple. But before you do, check out Instarchive to download all your images from your account.
Poll: Are you quitting Instagram over its new terms of use? (you’ll need to visit the site to vote as it won’t show up in an RSS reader)
