Instagram addressed the public about selling user's photos, saying their earlier change in user terms seems to have created a miscommunication.
Overnight photo sharing service Instagram had as many haters as it had users owing to a change their made in their user terms. The new update led users to believe that Instagram would now sell all pictures shared on the site to advertisers.
However, the company clarified that the original statement is just a misunderstanding as they explained the scenario in a blog yesterday.
"Instagram users own their content and Instagram does not claim any ownership rights over your photos," co-founder Kevin Systrom wrote. "Nothing about this has changed. We respect that there are creative artists and hobbyists alike that pour their heart into creating beautiful photos, and we respect that your photos are your photos. Period."
The company blamed the whole misunderstanding on "sloppy wording."
A section, in partcular, where Instagram said users must agree that "a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos ... in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you," got the users worked up.
Systrom assured users that he would change the terms of service immediately which was supposed to begin January 16.
"Our intention in updating the terms was to communicate that we'd like to experiment with innovative advertising that feels appropriate on Instagram," Systrom wrote.
Before all the confusion had been cleared, the company received many hate mails and negative comments.
"Instagram will now be able to use anyone's photos in ads? Without consent? Come on! Is there another photo app people recommend?" CNN's Anderson Cooper wrote on Twitter.
