Come January, Instagram's army of shutterbug users and their eye candy photos could mean big bucks for the social media app.
Under the new policy that goes into effect January 17, Instagram (now owned by Facebook) will claim the right to license and sell all photos uploaded to the app to companies and organizations for advertising purposes.
Yes, that means if you continue to use Instagram, you could effectively be a stock photographer -- who works for free.
See also: - Where the F#*k Do I Post This? (A Social Media Flowchart) - Nine Things You Can Stop Posting on Instagram. Right Now.
Unlinke Facebook, there's no opt out of the agreement. If you don't want your photos sold to dog food companies, latte art competitions, travel agencies, and dating sites (#selfie), you'll have to delete your account.
From the new Use Policy:
"Some or all of the Service may be supported by advertising revenue. 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."
Other new rules include that users must be at least 13 years old, users cannot post nude or pornographic photos, or use the service for financial gain through spam, etc.
Already, hundreds have commented on Instagram's official post announcing the new use policy, vowing to cancel their accounts and spread the word. And to the joy of old school photographers and critics of iphonography, it just might put the hip photo app under.
