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New Instagram Terms

18Dec12

I don’t know if you use Instagram and whether or not the news have reached you yet. Instagram is about to change their terms. In their new terms Instagram reserves the right to sell your pictures to other companies. Can this be true? Apparently. The new terms say::

“…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 do you think about this? Would this be reason enough for your to delete your Instagram account? Or is this maybe a good thing for photographers who wish to gain exposure? How does it compare with Facebook? Is it maybe the same thing Facebook reserves to do with your intellectual property, or is this different? It sounds different for sure.

For your information, these terms are valid for the pictures you post starting January 16, 2013. I might just stop using their app on that date and leave my account as is. Who knows, maybe Instagram will become one large virtual ghost town one day. Just like many other social platforms before, just much more visual.
Anyway, this blog is about pictures and not politics. So how about some Instagram pictures today? ;-)

Filed under: iPhoneography, street, useful tips   |  8 Comments

8 Responses to “New Instagram Terms”  

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  1. 1 Bashar Al-Kuwaiti on Dec 18th, 2012 said:

    I saw it, I'm spreading the word and I'm deleting my account in a week.. I just want to make sure my friends know before I do so :)

  2. 2 Michael McKennedy on Dec 18th, 2012 said:

    they have responded "I’m writing this today to let you know we’re listening and to commit to you that we will be doing more to answer your questions, fix any mistakes, and eliminate the confusion." – Kevin Systrom co-founder, Instagram – there's more here http://blog.instagram.com/post/38252135408/thank-you-and-were-listening

  3. 3 Bashar Al-Kuwaiti on Dec 18th, 2012 said:

    and what a weak response that was +Michael McKennedy.  I thought their initial language was clear: we will use your photos without paying you and now he's saying it caused confusion???? come on!! I'm not that stupid.   I'm really done with them… are you going to give them a chance? or are you leaving?

  4. 4 Michael McKennedy on Dec 18th, 2012 said:

    I am hoping that they will reword the TOS. Personally, I enjoy Instagram…I follow lots of creative people and enjoy their work. I'm going to wait it out.

  5. 5 Oliver Fluck on Dec 18th, 2012 said:

    Also read this a couple of minutes ago. Curious to see the new draft.

  6. 6 Stefanie Höpner on Dec 19th, 2012 said:

    I’m curious if they will actually come up with a new draft or just sugar coat the exisiting terms.

  7. 7 Oliver on Dec 19th, 2012 said:

    It will hopefully be more precise.

  8. 8 Guillaume Stordeur on Dec 21st, 2012 said:

    Today's XKCD :)
    http://xkcd.com/1150/

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