Post Backlash, Instagram Promises Users Photos Won't Be Used in Ads
Instagram addicts have been lashing out at the now Facebook-owned social media platform due to updated terms of use stating that they reserve the rights to anyone's photos to use in advertisements.
Everyone from Lena Dunham to Coco Rocha to Nina Garcia spoke up about their disagreement with the new terms of use, and much to everyone's surprise, Instagram listened.
The app's CEO and founder Kevin Systrom posted a retraction statement on Instagram's blog saying:
"From the start, Instagram was created to become a business. Advertising is one of many ways that Instagram can become a self-sustaining business, but not the only one. Our intention in updating the terms was to communicate that we'd like to experiment with innovative advertising that feels appropriate on Instagram. Instead it was interpreted by many that we were going to sell your photos to others without any compensation. This is not true and it is our mistake that this language is confusing. To be clear: it is not our intention to sell your photos. We are working on updated language in the terms to make sure this is clear."
Ok, so that doesn't really answer anything and the initial terms were pretty straightforward saying, "to help us deliver interesting paid of 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."
What's hopeful is that Instagram did respond promptly to the negative feedback, but there's no guarantee our privacy will be respected.
