This post we will be focusing on Instagram, it’s Privacy Policy, and what it does with all that information. First a quick overview, not going to lie reading the whole policy off Instagram’s site almost
This post we will be focusing on Instagram, it’s Privacy Policy, and what it does with all that information. First a quick overview, not going to lie reading the whole policy off Instagram’s site almost melted my brain thinking about all the ways Instagram and Facebook (the current owner) know about me.
What Information Does Instagram Collect? (1)
Per it’s Privacy Policy Instagram can collect the following from registered users:
- Names and passwords of account holders
- Captured content, such as photos and videos
- Data that links users to the photos they took, tagged or liked
- Text message history, address book contacts or other similar personal information
- Metadata on how people use the Instagram mobile app
- Transactional data from Facebook products and services
- Facial recognition data
- Data on which devices are linked to which accounts
- Geolocational data
- Credit and debit card information including billing, shipping, and authentication information
How does Instagram use this information? (2)
- Personalize information for you, including local groups and events
- Develop research and test new improvements
- Facial recognition in photos, videos, and camera experiences
- Target you with ads and sponsored content
- Work to stop harmful content and spam directed at you
- Communicate with you
- Research on different topics including general social welfare, technological advancement, public interest, health and well-being.
How is this information shared?
- Shared on Facebook with people and accounts you follow
- Content others share or reshare about you
- Information about how much and and when you are on
- Apps, websites, and third party integrations ex: games you play on Facebook
- Sharing with Third Party
- Companies that use the analytics services
- Advertisers
- Companies offering goods and services within Instagram
- Researchers and academics
- Law enforcement or legal requests
One of the main ways that Instagram uses your data is for ads, which we all know in our own way. In an article on VPNOview they talk about the experiment a YouTuber named Safiya Nygaard (3) did by buying items Instagram recommended to her so she could figure out how the algorithms worked.
Some companies it seems are really changing their ways of selling off your information to companies. (4) Poshmark is a good example, where you can now opt out of them selling your information. (5) I hope that more and more companies start doing this option.
Another way is that since Instagram is now owned by Facebook they can collect data from both and use it to target you on both platforms now. This means what you follow and like on one platform will move to the other one now too. (6) I feel this limits your exposer to different articles, information, and groups that you would have if they didn’t combine them.
Though if academic researchers are able to use some of this information they have collected to help in social, economic, or environmental situations/ problems that would be wonderful.
Citations:
1. Identity Guard. (2018, June). What you need to know about Instagram’s Privacy Policy. https://www.identityguard.com/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-instagrams-privacy-policy
2. Instagram. (2018, April 19). Data Policy. Instagram Help. https://help.instagram.com/519522125107875
3. Safiya Nygaard. (2017, May 19). I Bought The First 5 Things Instagram Recommended To Me. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Df3u46xBVMY&feature=emb_title
4. VPNOverview. (2019, June 21). What Does Instagram Know About Me? https://vpnoverview.com/privacy/social-media/what-does-instagram-know-about-me/
5. Reddit Poshmark. (2019, December). Just noticed there’s a new tab on the profile page labeled “Do Not Sell My Info”. You have to go in and toggle off the opt out button, it’s automatically set to agreeing to their terms.https://www.reddit.com/r/poshmark/comments/ed3wtk/just_noticed_theres_a_new_tab_on_the_profile_page/
6. Kosik, A. (2018, March 28). Is Instagram Collecting Data? Here’s What To Know If You’re Worried About Your Privacy. Bustle. https://www.bustle.com/p/is-instagram-collecting-data-heres-what-to-know-if-youre-worried-about-your-privacy-8631780
