A cold shower for Instagram subscribers: the platform is changing its rules and states that it can sell photos uploaded by users, without paying anything or notifying them.
The photo-sharing platform Instagram has decided to revise its rules, sparking widespread online discontent among its subscribers.
Concerns have arisen regarding major changes to privacy and, most significantly, Instagram’s ability to sell users’ photos – or use them, or allow them to be used for advertising purposes, even by third parties – without compensating the authors.
Furthermore, all details related to geolocation, cookies, and mobile smartphone usage will be collected and channeled to the vast systems of Facebook, Instagram’s parent company.
The fear that Instagram’s policy would eventually change was strongly felt since the announcement of its acquisition by Facebook, and indeed, modifications have now been made.
What is causing the most widespread dissatisfaction is precisely the possibility of selling one’s photos to third parties without the user’s awareness and without receiving any compensation, even if Instagram monetizes the sale of some shots.
It is difficult to ascertain the extent to which photo sales might take hold and which commercial entities would be interested in this new method of image acquisition.
The new Instagram policy will officially come into effect starting January 16, 2013, and there is no way to refuse it, other than by deleting one’s account from the photo-sharing platform.
Be the first to comment