December 18, 2012
Instagram Responds to Concerns About New Privacy Terms…Sort of
In an attempt to monetize user content, in the same way its parent company Facebook does, Instagram posted changes to its privacy policy Tuesday morning:
Part of the posting read:
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.
The announcement sparked anger and concerns about users privacy and the unlimited use of their content without their knowledge or permission. Many deleted their Instagram accounts or complained.
By the afternoon, Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom posted another statement:
“We’ve heard loud and clear that many users are confused and upset about what the changes mean,†he wrote. “I’m writing this today to let you know we’re listening and to commit to you that we will be doing more to answer your questions, fix any mistakes and eliminate the confusion…The language we proposed also raised question about whether your photos can be part of an advertisement. We do not have plans for anything like this and because of that we’re going to remove the language that raised the question.”
Though some readers were reassured by Systrom’s statement others say that it’s too soon to speculate on what the new language is going to be and until new terms are posted, then apparently the unlimited and unauthorized use of personal content is fair game, and the use Instagram is at one’s own risk.
Read more at Gizmag.