Outrage with Instagram – When Privacy Policies Go Wrong

Social media users are outraged over the changed policy of Instagram. Yes, Instagram has given notice that their policy has changed – a short notice given with the change coming into effect on January 16, 2013! It is almost a slap in the face with privacy going out the window in this type of situation. People are outraged and for good reason.

Outrage with Instagram will continue until changes are made such as asking permission to use your specific photos. Oh, that is right, they make a change in the policy and by the time you read this portion you are confused or uncertain as to just what this means. From Instagram’s revised policy

To help us deliver interesting paid or 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. If you are under the age of eighteen (18), or under any other applicable age of majority, you represent that at least one of your parents or legal guardians has also agreed to this provision (and the use of your name, likeness, username, and/or photos (along with any associated metadata)) on your behalf.

Note: This represents only a portion of the policy. In order to get the full extent of what they are doing read the revised terms of use as well as their privacy policy.

The problem stems from the knowledge that most users of apps don’t read all of the Terms of Use prior to agreeing with it. When this happens changes can be made that until something happens we may not know about them. I am as guilty as anyone when it comes to reading all that legal material just to be able to use a specific app.

So, we come to the question is there something we can do about the outrageous changes to the terms of use for Instagram? Is there a solution for people who use Instagram to share photos with family and friends? You bet there is! There are a couple of things that we can do to attempt to protect the use of our photos and other items we may have on our mobile devices. First, opt out of the app altogether. You also can opt for non-public use which can help but if photos are still used then you probably will not win because of the way they have the arbitration set up. There are other apps out there that can do the same thing maybe not as well but at least they don’t put the screws to you. Another is to use other social media sites such as Pinterest or Google+ to share all those wonderful family photos.

The outrage with Instagram can be well understood, and if they can do this how many others will attempt to use these high-handed methods with our data attempting to make money. What do you think and how will you handle the situation? Let your voices be heard! Visit us on Facebook and Twitter to tell us more about what you think.