Candace Chambers
Blue & White Flash / News Editor
Are you on Instagram? Instagram is a picture sharing, social media phenomenon, which provides the opportunity to share fun, silly times with friends with the click of a button. Rise, Hudson, Earlybird, and Amaro add flavor to pictures giving them a new look through filtering.
Users select lucky viewers, who are able to take part in viewing their unique snippet in life. But, before this whole process begins, a privacy policy must be agreed upon between the user and Instagram.
A new, updated privacy policy for Instagram, which was to take effect Jan. 19, has been a buzz among Instagram users, regarding the rights of the company to sell pictures of users to advertisement companies at Instagram’s discretion. The user would receive no compensation for the use of their photos.
The clause was stated in the terms of service as following, “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 user name, 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.”
Since the outcry of concerned Instagramers, including celebrity Kim Kardashian, who expressed her concern for a revision, was so demanding for change, Kevin Systrom, co-founder of Instagram, released this statement on the website informing that the company would revert back to its original version of the policy: “Because of the feedback we have heard from you, we are reverting this advertising section to the original version that has been in effect since we launched the service in October 2010.”
He also stated, “I want to be clear: Instagram has no intention of selling your photos, and we never did. We don’t own your photos-you do.”
The new policy explains that Instagram does not “rent or sell your information to third parties outside of Instagram without your consent.” Instagram may send information to affiliates, who improve the service, providers of the service, and third party advertisements that send relevant information to match users’ interests.
With the scare of exposure of confidential information, users, especially college students, should be aware of the information made available through social media sites. Vulgar and inappropriate images could limit the number of opportunities in the corporate world.
Some JSU students believe that students should be cautious when sharing their life on the web.
Quasakay Walton, a sophomore English education major from Cleveland, Miss., expressed her distrust with the privacy policy on social networks. “It’s the internet. I’m very cautious because whatever you put on there is not going away. I don’t post anything provocative.”
Shantavia Robinson, a junior mathematics major from Canton, Miss., shared similar views. “I’m very cautious about what I post because what you post on the Internet can come back to bite you.”
Phillip Barnes, a senior civil engineering major from Biloxi, Miss. strives to keep a clean image on the web. He said, “The internet is private enough. I am cautious because of future job opportunities and I keep my profile positive for a positive outlook.”
