If you’ve looked at your Instagram recently, you’d realize that they’ve begun preempting their users that they’re “making some improvements” and “updating” their privacy policy and terms of service. The question is, have you read it?
Because the policy shift has apparently sparked a public outcry! And no, it’s not because Instagram has decided to charge its users.
The new policy, which will take effect on 16th January 2013, comes three months after social networking giant Facebook completed its acquisition of Instagram. Under the new policy, Facebook claims the perpetual right to license all public Instagram photos to companies or any other organization, including for advertising purposes, which would effectively transform the website into the world’s largest stock photo agency.
This also means that Facebook can sell your photos to agencies and clients, and not pay you for it. Also, the new rights will allow Facebook to license users’ photos to any other organization. Again, without payment or notification to you. Oh, also, you have no way of opting out of this unless if you delete your account before 16th January 2013.
“As part of our new collaboration, we learned that by being able to share insights and information with each other, we can build better experiences for our users“.
Sure. Way to go Instagram.
