Are you on Instagram? You may want to re-think your decision after reading this…
Instagram has just released a few new updates that’ll be taking affect next year in January. (Via Instagram) “We’re making some improvements and updating our Privacy Policy & Terms of Service. Read more about our changes.” < — Chances are, you’ve seen this message, but didn’t investigate what those changes mean to you and your Instagram account. Discover why these “improvements” are causing some Instagram users to say bye-bye for good.
1. Your data will be used for ads. Ads are coming to Instagram. This isn’t a surprise. However, the new terms outline the fact the ads will use your data, photos and even the metadata (read: geo-location data), for targeting purposes. As The Social Times says, “Get ready for some ads starring your friends and you.” In fact, your data may be used as a way to endorse sponsored content or promotions. This part is described in the Rights section of the new terms. IT GETS WORSE. Ads may not be marked clearly. You may not even know that ads are ads. (new Instagram Rights section says: “You acknowledge that we may not always identify paid services, sponsored content, or commercial communications as such.”)
2. Instagram can use your photos. You own the content you post, but Instagram can use any of it without any issues. The Rights section says specifically: “you hereby grant to Instagram a non-exclusive, fully paid and royalty-free, transferable, sub-licensable, worldwide license to use the Content that you post.”
3. Be aware of your responsibility when you post new photos. You are responsible for any issues involving content you post, not Instagram. Instagram does not have any obligation to prescreen, monitor, edit, or remove any Content. If your Content violates these Terms of Use, you may bear legal responsibility for that Content.
4. Backup your photos. You might want to back up your photos periodically. There’s no guarantee they’ll always be there. As the new Rights section writes: Instagram is not a backup service and you agree that you will not rely on the Service for the purposes of Content backup or storage. Instagram will not be liable to you for any modification, suspension, or discontinuation of the Services, or the loss of any Content.
Have you begun weighing the pros and cons of Instagram’s new terms of service? Is Instagram right for using your photos, data plans and more in exchange for you using it’s service? Are you thinking about quitting Instagram and using other photo sharing apps like Flickr instead? Share below…
