Instagram backtracks on selling your pictures

Following widespread criticism on the new policy changes at Instagram, the Facebook-owned picture sharing website announced a revision to its terms of service. Many of the website's users were upset because the new rules enabled Instagram to do whathever they please with your photos, but now Kevin Systrom, the co-founder of Instagram, published a blog post to clarify that the company has never intended to sell your pictures to third parties without proper compensation.

Yesterday we introduced a new version of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service that will take effect in thirty days. These two documents help communicate as clearly as possible our relationship with the users of Instagram so you understand how your data will be used, and the rules that govern the thriving and active Instagram community. Since making these changes, we’ve heard loud and clear that many users are confused and upset about what the changes mean.

I’m writing this today to let you know we’re listening and to commit to you that we will be doing more to answer your questions, fix any mistakes, and eliminate the confusion. As we review your feedback and stories in the press, we’re going to modify specific parts of the terms to make it more clear what will happen with your photos.