Breaking Down the Sneaky Terminology -what we’re saying yes to when we say YES to Instagram.
Every time we download an app, buy something online or use a web platform like Instagram, Snapchat or Facebook we agree to their terms — including their privacy policies.
But What Do Those Privacy Policies Mean?
Trouble is, they’re so long and kind of confusing and, if we’re honest, do we really care? Privacy Policies can be difficult to understand and it would be much easier to determine what matters to us if we could interpret what it actually meant.
Breaking It Down: What Instagram Says It Collects
I took the list of Information Instagram’s Privacy Policy says it’s collecting when you use it and attempted to translate it into understandable, bottom line terms.
Things You Provide or Hey Instagram, Did I really Say It Was Okay(or necessary) to have THAT?
When you use Instagram, you’re saying it’s okay to give Instagram and by default, Facebook, these things . . . I’ll start with perhaps the most mind-blowing:
- What the Instagram Camera and other tools see when operating. Hmm. Okay, So I’m thinking that the “Instagram Camera” means the “camera on my phone when Instagram is open.” Does that mean that when I’m using the camera to take a picture or a video or go live while I’m using Instagram they are taking that information? OR, does it mean that anytime I use the camera while the app is open — and I end up deleting or not posting what the camera took pictures of — does Instagram call those photos and videos content I provide?
I wrote a couple of letters to Instagram to get clarity. More on that in a moment- for now I’ll continue with the other stuff Instagram takes.
- The information you give when you initially sign up.
Your email address, Your name etc. - Every photo and video you post or take and the locations you share.
- Facebook profile Feed Info like religious views, political views, who you’re interested in. (This is NOTED in the Instagram Data Policy, which indicates that your Instagram and Facebook information are one). They note that some countries offer “special protection” for that information.
- Everything You Post. Everything You Do. Everywhere You Go while your in the platform and on the platform. They collect info about the people, pages, accounts, hashtags and groups you visit or belong to. And anything you upload to Facebook, Instagram or Messenger.
- What you’re looking at. Who you’re looking at and where you are when you’re looking at it. Who you’re searching, who you’re stalking and how long you’re doing each thing you do.
- What you buy, the credit card you use and where it ships.
- Also, they point out that if someone else using Facebook, Instagram or messenger shares information about you, they are collecting it and analyzing the post or communication that person shared about you.
- What device you’re using when you’re on Facebook, Instagram or Messenger. They take the OS, hardware and software versions, your browser type, app and file names and plugins. Your network or mobile operator, mobile phone number and IP address.
- How You’re Using That Device. They can and do know if your full screen or background and how your mouse is moving. The get device ID’s, Games and app and account ID’s and Family Device ID’s that are “unique to Facebook Family Products.”
- Cookies! Cookie ID’s settings etc. Remember, cookies are left on your device, if you allow it, by sites you visit.
Don’t Have A Facebook or Instagram Account? You’re not out of the Privacy Woods.
This is AMAZING to think about:
- Instagram and Facebook also get information about You from Apps, Developers, Advertisers and Publishers via FaceBook Business Tools. These are companies who either pay to advertise on Instagram or Facebook or the companies Instagram buys apps or tools from to make your Instagram experience awesome. Even the LIKE button is considered either an App or a Developer.
- Even if you don’t have a Facebook account or aren’t logged in to Facebook or Instagram, other “partners” or “third parties” who use Facebook Business Tools can provide Instagram with information about what you bought from them or how you used their site.
- Even what you do offline. Yep. Off Line. How? For example, if you have a loyalty card and you do some actual shopping in a real life store, that loyalty card information syncs with your online information so the store has your online and offline info.
- They use your Information to improve and promote their products. Okay, that makes sense. They connect all that treasured information from a number of places and people in order give us a nice tailored experience, wherever we go in the Facebook Kingdom. They use our location to help improve life in this Kingdom, hence the ads we get. They use all of this to measure what we do and attempt to analyze why. This is textbook research and development.
- They even note that if you have Facial Recognition turned on-they use it to recognize you in photos, video and camera experiences. They make it a point to say that they will let us know when it’s introduced to Instagram. Oh boy.
- What Facebook -who owns Instagram- does with all this collected information is also in their Data Policy.
That’s a whole lot of sharing of information.
This is My Interpretation of Instagram’s Privacy Policy But I think it’s pretty darn easy to understand right?
I did this little exercise because like billions of people, I use Instagram. They locked me out the other day and wanted my phone number to text me a code so I could get back in. I don’t like giving my phone number out to anyone so this was kind of a big deal to me. It led me down the rabbit hole of trying to figure out why I couldn’t have a code texted to my skype account phone number and that led me to read the Privacy Policy in the Privacy and Security section of Instagram.
As I read through I thought, “How many people have any idea what Instagram is taking, getting or asking for every time they visit their account?” I even searched on Instagram, “question about privacy policy” Here’s what I got:
“We did not find results for Question About Privacy Policy”
So, I was on my own to decipher Instagram’s data policy. I’m hoping I’ll hear from Instagram if my insight is incorrect and I’ll be happy to update you when I do. Until then, if reading this makes you want to control some of your privacy, here’s some ideas.
I’m not a lawyer but having my own business for two decades gave me a chance to read and decipher quite a few contracts and agreements. I learned that it’s important to ask questions.
I Asked Instagram Questions Specifically About “Their Camera” What does that mean??
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When I asked for clarity on whether they are using the Instagram Camera to Collect the photos I take but don’t post — they replied by basically repeating the Instagram (!) So, I asked again if what I shot with that camera(posted or not) was being collected — their response didn’t exactly answer my question.
Hi,
Thanks for contacting us. We’ve reviewed your report, and it looks like you’re objecting to the processing of all of your data. However, to provide you with Instagram, we need to be able to collect and use certain types of information about you. The types of information we collect about you depend on how you use our products. If we were to stop all processing of your data, you wouldn’t be able to use Instagram.
There’s a link to both of the letters below if you want to read them.
What Can You Do? Basic Instagram Privacy Fixes
#1 You Always Have The Option To Delete your account.
Really, anything you share can become anybody’s business. You can delete it and erase your data but know that it’s stored until it is “no longer necessary to provide services.” Which really isn’t clear is it? Should I write Instagram to find out exactly what that means? And also not sure long search history you delete stays around.
Not deleting? Then the mantra is think before. Think before you search, post, visit, comment or approve an App to be used by your Instagram account.
Be mindful that what you post has the potential to be seen by anyone and everyone.
What you Share on Instagram can be very public: You Share You in a Bikini to your Friends. Any one of them can screen shot it and share it. Even if you’re account is Private — theirs may not be.
#2 Turn Off Camera and Microphone Access
Except when you’re using the Camera and/or Mic to post to Instagram or Facebook. The only time they both really need to be enabled is when you’re loading a video or story. Why give the Facebook enterprise access to it when you don’t have to?
Settings> Instagram>Toggle Camera(photos) Microphone When Using
#3 Turn Off Your Location
Let’s start with your location. Do you really need to tell everyone where you are all the time? If not:Disable location through your iphone or Android go to
Setting> Privacy> Location. Just toggle off.
If you’d rather just decide post by post, photo by photo:
You can add a location to a photo or video you’ve already shared or edit the location you originally included. To add or edit your location, first tap
above your photo or video. Then tap Edit.
- To add a location: Tap Add Location… and enter the location.
- To edit a location: Tap the location name, then tap Remove Location or Change Location (iOS) / Select Other Location or tap “X” from Select a Location Page (Android).
#4 Keep Your Activity Private
Do you ever get a little stalk-y and check out what your Followers are liking and posting? Well, you actually do have the Controls when it comes to who see’s your activity through an Instagram Setting Called Activity Status.
Getting To Instagram Settings: On your Home Page, Tap the Hamburger(3 horizontal lines) Scroll Down and You’ll Find Settings At the Bottom.
Settings> Privacy and Security>Activity Status
Un-toggle SHOW MY ACTIVITY STATUS and what you like and your comments will only be seen by you and your Insta-friend.
#5 Hide Stuff — Control Who See’s Your Instagram Story
Did you want everyone to see that Instagram Story? Even your Ex or your mom or that aquaintance? Each Time you post the story you can decide who you want to see your stories.
Settings> Privacy and Security> Story Controls
And Speaking of Stories and CAMERA’S
— It might be time to consider putting a Creep Blocker camera cover on it-because even if Instagram doesn’t have access to your selfie-cam, other scammy apps can get access. It’s a disgusting reality of the digital age. But absolutely no one sees anything when the camera is covered! Peel it off when you’re ready to use your phone camera for what it was designed for and enjoy your privacy.
Let me know if you have insight into the Instagram-”Whose camera is it and what data are you taking?” question.
Here’s the link to the email string of letters to Instagram about the camera. And if you’re interested in other basic steps to protect your privacy online, you’ll enjoy our Online Privacy Guide and podcast with Cyber Expert Bryan Neumeister
Be Well!
