If you spend much time online these days then you are probably aware of all the hullabaloo centered around Instagram’s announced updates to their Privacy Policy and Terms of Service agreement. To summarize the concern, there is wording in the updated Terms of Service that would give Facebook (the owner of Instagram) perpetual right to license all Instagram photos to companies or other organizations. Another section of the document provisions Facebook the right to collect payment for allowing a business or other entity the ability to display your photos in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions without compensation to you, the original owner of the image. In essence, this change in the Instagram Terms of Service agreement would instantly turn Instagram into the large stock photo agency around.

So, should you be worried? Should you immediate delete your account and the app and find a competitor to the popular photo sharing and social site? Well, that depends. First, these are purposed changes and they aren’t written in stone yet. The changes are scheduled to take effect 1/16/13. Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom has already published an open letter admitting the wording is unclear, that they are aware of everyone’s concerns, and that they will be publishing updates to the purposed Terms of Service agreement. Second, if you are just an average Instagram user posting daily updates to your comings and goings then you probably don’t care a stitch about this whole mess. However, if you are a professional photographer using the service as a way to promote your small photography business then you should be very concerned about these purposed changes. Even if you are not a professional but you are posting quality images that you’ve put considerable time and effort into capturing and processing then you too ought to be troubled about these changes.

My advice to everyone at this point is avoid any knee jerk reactions to delete your account, don’t panic yet, but do stay informed. I will be posting updates to this ongoing saga as they surface.

Here are a few links for easy reference:

The CURRENT Instagram Terms of Service agreement: http://instagram.com/legal/terms/

The UPDATED Instagram Terms of Service agreement: http://instagram.com/about/legal/terms/updated/

Here are some more stories online about the controversy:

Wired: http://www.wired.com/rawfile/2012/12/instagram/

CNN Tech: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/18/tech/social-media/instagram-terms-users/?hpt=hp_t3

Slate: http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2012/12/19/instagram_privacy_everyone_s_ignoring_the_real_problems_with_its_terms_of.html

CBS News: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-57559982/instagram-forget-photos-youre-for-sale/