Instagram Clarifies Its Privacy Policy and Terms of Service: No Selling Photos, No Photos in Ads
Instagram created a furor from its users when it announced its new privacy policy and terms of service, to be implemented on Jan. 16, 2013. After anger about the possibility of the company using its users’ photos in advertisements, among other things, co-founder Kevin Systrom wrote a blog post on the company’s site clarifying things:
– Advertising on Instagram: Systrom makes it clear that Instagram will not be selling users’ photos to others. He adds that the company wants to “create meaningful ways to help you discover new and interesting accounts and content while building a self-sustaining business at the same time,” without using banner ads.
– Ownership rights: “Instagram users own their content and Instagram does not claim any ownership rights over your photos. Nothing about this has changed. We respect that there are creative artists and hobbyists alike that pour their heart into creating beautiful photos, and we respect that your photos are your photos. Period.”
– Privacy settings: Nothing here has changed, according to Systrom.
