Instagram: We’re not using your pics in ads

Nothing sets off a web uprising faster than concerns over online privacy, and yesterday the web exploded with complaints after it seemed Instagram, the popular photo-sharing service owned by Facebook, had essentially scrapped users’ expectation of privacy in return for advertising bucks.

The furor started when Instagram posted changes to its terms of service agreement.

Several of the changes had to do with advertising. The implication, many people felt after reading the new service terms, was that Instagram now had the freedom to use or even sell users’ pictures to advertisers, who could employ them in whatever manner they chose, even pictures of kids.

The backlash was immediate. People flooded Twitter with complaints about the service, and about Facebook for pushing the changes.

That prompted a response yesterday from Instagram clarifying that it had never meant to imply that advertisers would have unfettered access to people’s pictures. Further, the company promised to remove the confusing wording from the new terms of service, which take effect next month.

“The language we proposed also raised question about whether your photos can be part of an advertisement. We do not have plans for anything like this and because of that we’re going to remove the language that raised the question,” said the blog post.

“Our main goal is to avoid things like advertising banners you see in other apps that would hurt the Instagram user experience. Instead, we want to create meaningful ways to help you discover new and interesting accounts and content while building a self-sustaining business at the same time.”

Tags: ads, advertisers, advertising, facebook, facebook instagram, following, instagram, instagram ads, instagram advertising, instagram facebook, instagram photos, online, people, privacy, web