Instagram: Difference between revisions

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|Website=https://www.instagram.com/

}}

'''[[wikipedia:Instagram|Instagram]]''' is a global social-media platform and subsidiary of [[Meta]] since 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Apr 2012 |title=Facebook to Acquire Instagram |url=https://about.fb.com/news/2012/04/facebook-to-acquire-instagram/ |url-status=live |access-date=17 Mar 2025 |website=[[Meta]]}}</ref> Founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram focuses on sharing photos and videos. This content can take the form of a "reel", "post", or a "story".<ref group="notes">Reels: Short videos similar to the format popularized by TikTok. Posts: A collection of images or videos. Stories: A temporary post that allows photos, videos, and text.</ref> Moreover, Instagram has a direct messaging service and a live streaming service built in.

'''[[wikipedia:Instagram|Instagram]]''' is a global social-media platform and subsidiary of [[Meta]] since 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Apr 2012 |title=Facebook to Acquire Instagram |url=https://about.fb.com/news/2012/04/facebook-to-acquire-instagram/ |url-status=live |access-date=17 Mar 2025 |website=[[Meta]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260209050049/https://about.fb.com/news/2012/04/facebook-to-acquire-instagram/ |archive-date=9 Feb 2026}}</ref> Founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram focuses on sharing photos and videos. This content can take the form of a "reel", "post", or a "story".<ref group="notes">Reels: Short videos similar to the format popularized by TikTok. Posts: A collection of images or videos. Stories: A temporary post that allows photos, videos, and text.</ref> Moreover, Instagram has a direct messaging service and a live streaming service built in.

Instagram has been scrutinized for many consumer violations revolving around the extent of its data collection<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cuthberson |first=Anthony |date=18 Mar 2021 |title=Instagram is ‘most invasive app’, new study shows |url=https://www.the-independent.com/tech/instagram-invasive-app-privacy-facebook-b1818453.html |url-status=live |access-date=17 Mar 2025 |website=Independent}}</ref> and the use of said data.

Instagram has been scrutinized for many consumer violations revolving around the extent of its data collection<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cuthberson |first=Anthony |date=18 Mar 2021 |title=Instagram is ‘most invasive app’, new study shows |url=https://www.the-independent.com/tech/instagram-invasive-app-privacy-facebook-b1818453.html |url-status=live |access-date=17 Mar 2025 |website=Independent |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260130180350/https://www.the-independent.com/tech/instagram-invasive-app-privacy-facebook-b1818453.html |archive-date=30 Jan 2026}}</ref> and the use of said data.

==Consumer-protection profile==

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===Privacy===

*On signup, Instagram collects details such as the user's name, email, phone number, and profile information.<ref name=":0">[https://help.instagram.com/155833707900388?utm_source=chatgpt.com Privacy Policy]</ref>

*On signup, Instagram collects details such as the user's name, email, phone number, and profile information.<ref name=":0">[https://help.instagram.com/155833707900388?utm_source=chatgpt.com Privacy Policy] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251211065551/https://help.instagram.com/155833707900388?utm_source=chatgpt.com Archived])</ref>

*Through the use of the app, Instagram collects the following:<ref name=":0" />

**Interactions including, likes, comments, posts, and direct messages.

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*Instagram, as part of Meta, has a forced arbitration clause in its terms of service.

*Instagram has the ability to remove content without citing a reason.

*Instagram is granted a license to use, distribute, modify, run, copy, display, and create derivative works of uploaded content.<ref name=":1">[https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870/ Terms of Service]</ref>

*Instagram is granted a license to use, distribute, modify, run, copy, display, and create derivative works of uploaded content.<ref name=":1">[https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870/ Terms of Service] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260222100652/https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870/ Archived])</ref>

==Consumer-protection incidents==

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</gallery>

Instagram already had a "photo map" feature in its early years, which was removed in 2016.<ref>[https://thinkmarketingmagazine.com/instagram-killing-photo-maps-feature/ Instagram killing “photo maps” feature]</ref>

Instagram already had a "photo map" feature in its early years, which was removed in 2016.<ref>[https://thinkmarketingmagazine.com/instagram-killing-photo-maps-feature/ Instagram killing “photo maps” feature] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260130202048/https://thinkmarketingmagazine.com/instagram-killing-photo-maps-feature/ Archived])</ref>

===Instagram shows gore and violence videos to select users (Feb. 2025)===

In what Instagram calls an "error", some users were shown videos of graphic death scenes and animal abuse in their Reels feed for about a day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milmo |first=Dan |date=2025-02-28 |title=Meta apologises over flood of gore, violence and dead bodies on Instagram |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/28/meta-apologises-over-flood-of-gore-violence-and-dead-bodies-on-instagram |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Meta apologizes, fixes glitch that caused violent video recommendations on Reels |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/27/tech/meta-apologizes-glitch-violent-reels}}</ref>

In what Instagram calls an "error", some users were shown videos of graphic death scenes and animal abuse in their Reels feed for about a day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milmo |first=Dan |date=2025-02-28 |title=Meta apologises over flood of gore, violence and dead bodies on Instagram |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/28/meta-apologises-over-flood-of-gore-violence-and-dead-bodies-on-instagram |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Meta apologizes, fixes glitch that caused violent video recommendations on Reels |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/27/tech/meta-apologizes-glitch-violent-reels |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251103212649/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/27/tech/meta-apologizes-glitch-violent-reels |archive-date=3 Nov 2025}}</ref>

This also serves as an example for the kind of content Meta staff has to review when flagged and raises questions about the mental health impact watching this type of content all day has on the workers tasked with content moderation.<ref>{{Cite news |title=‘It scars you for life’: Workers sue Meta claiming viewing brutal videos caused psychological trauma |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/19/it-scars-you-for-life-workers-sue-meta-claiming-viewing-brutal-videos-caused-psychological}}</ref>

This also serves as an example for the kind of content Meta staff has to review when flagged and raises questions about the mental health impact watching this type of content all day has on the workers tasked with content moderation.<ref>{{Cite news |title=‘It scars you for life’: Workers sue Meta claiming viewing brutal videos caused psychological trauma |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/19/it-scars-you-for-life-workers-sue-meta-claiming-viewing-brutal-videos-caused-psychological |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250823162227/https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/19/it-scars-you-for-life-workers-sue-meta-claiming-viewing-brutal-videos-caused-psychological |archive-date=23 Aug 2025}}</ref>

===Instagram allows AI to be trained on user data (Mar. 2023)===

In March 2023, Instagram updated its Terms of Service to allow them to use collected data to train artificial intelligence.<ref name=":1" /> This data includes uploaded photos and videos and the creators were not given compensation. This new TOS was mandatory to accept to continue using the platform.

Opt-out was available in regions where this was legally required, but involved a ridiculously complicated process using a variety of [[Dark pattern|dark patterns]] to dissuade users from taking Meta up on the offer. The form included a freeform text box where the user had to explain their reasons for opting out and suggested that all requests would be manually reviewed and reserved the right to reject the user's wishes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grinkevičius |first=Paulius |date=2024-05-28 |title=Meta uses your data to train AI, and it doesn't want you to opt out |url=https://cybernews.com/tech/meta-trains-ai-on-your-data/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=cybernews}}</ref>

Opt-out was available in regions where this was legally required, but involved a ridiculously complicated process using a variety of [[Dark pattern|dark patterns]] to dissuade users from taking Meta up on the offer. The form included a freeform text box where the user had to explain their reasons for opting out and suggested that all requests would be manually reviewed and reserved the right to reject the user's wishes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grinkevičius |first=Paulius |date=2024-05-28 |title=Meta uses your data to train AI, and it doesn't want you to opt out |url=https://cybernews.com/tech/meta-trains-ai-on-your-data/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=cybernews |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007023331/https://cybernews.com/tech/meta-trains-ai-on-your-data/ |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref>

===New iOS Camera Activity Indicator shows camera activity at unexpected moments (2020–2022)===

Some users reported their camera being accessed while they were not using a feature of the app that ordinarily involves taking pictures or videos. This was revealed by a new indicator in iOS 14 and the same thing was repeated when Android 12 introduced a similar indicator.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why does Instagram use my camera whenever i exit the app? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/s85mv2/why_does_instagram_use_my_camera_whenever_i_exit/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why is Instagram accessing my camera at unexpected moments ? (The new privacy feature from Android 12 shows a red dot at the top right when an app is accessing sensitive hardware) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Instagram/comments/qiyofe/why_is_instagram_accessing_my_camera_at/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram weirdly accessing camera? (more in first comment) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Instagram/comments/ssqeyi/instagram_weirdly_accessing_camera_more_in_first/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>

Some users reported their camera being accessed while they were not using a feature of the app that ordinarily involves taking pictures or videos. This was revealed by a new indicator in iOS 14 and the same thing was repeated when Android 12 introduced a similar indicator.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why does Instagram use my camera whenever i exit the app? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/s85mv2/why_does_instagram_use_my_camera_whenever_i_exit/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220120004950/https://old.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/s85mv2/why_does_instagram_use_my_camera_whenever_i_exit/ |archive-date=20 Jan 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why is Instagram accessing my camera at unexpected moments ? (The new privacy feature from Android 12 shows a red dot at the top right when an app is accessing sensitive hardware) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Instagram/comments/qiyofe/why_is_instagram_accessing_my_camera_at/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20211030102434/https://old.reddit.com/r/Instagram/comments/qiyofe/why_is_instagram_accessing_my_camera_at/ |archive-date=30 Oct 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram weirdly accessing camera? (more in first comment) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Instagram/comments/ssqeyi/instagram_weirdly_accessing_camera_more_in_first/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>

In a separate incident '''[I think November 2022]''', users reported suddenly seeing their camera feed behind the Instagram interface when scrolling their feed or interacting with posts '''[SOURCES NEEDED – very difficult to find the reports on this].'''

Instagram claimed that nothing was recorded in these instances. Their responses never addressed concerns that the camera feed might be used for things like analysing the face for emotional reaction to ads, recording location information or similar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Becker |first=Leo |date=2020-07-27 |title=Unerwünschter iPhone-Kamerazugriff: Instagram verweist auf Bug |url=https://www.heise.de/news/Unerwuenschter-iPhone-Kamerazugriff-Instagram-verweist-auf-Bug-4855850.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Heise Online [German]}}</ref>

Instagram claimed that nothing was recorded in these instances. Their responses never addressed concerns that the camera feed might be used for things like analysing the face for emotional reaction to ads, recording location information or similar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Becker |first=Leo |date=2020-07-27 |title=Unerwünschter iPhone-Kamerazugriff: Instagram verweist auf Bug |url=https://www.heise.de/news/Unerwuenschter-iPhone-Kamerazugriff-Instagram-verweist-auf-Bug-4855850.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Heise Online [German] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251104105813/https://www.heise.de/news/Unerwuenschter-iPhone-Kamerazugriff-Instagram-verweist-auf-Bug-4855850.html |archive-date=4 Nov 2025}}</ref>

===Instagram uses personal data for advertisements without proper consent (Nov. 2020)===

===Instagram data breach (May 2019)===

In May 2019 Instagram suffered a big data breach which exposed sensitive information of almost 50 milion influencers and brands such as phone numbers and email adresses.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 2019 |title=Millions of Instagram influencers had their contact data scraped and exposed |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/20/instagram-influencer-celebrity-accounts-scraped/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 23, 2019 |title=Instagram data breach! 49 million users’ sensitive data exposed online |url=https://cisomag.com/instagram-data-breach-49-million-users-sensitive-data-exposed-online/}}</ref>. It was later stated that no more than 350.000 accounts were affected and least some of the personal information was set to public by the affected accounts

In May 2019 Instagram suffered a big data breach which exposed sensitive information of almost 50 milion influencers and brands such as phone numbers and email adresses.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 2019 |title=Millions of Instagram influencers had their contact data scraped and exposed |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/20/instagram-influencer-celebrity-accounts-scraped/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260202173310/https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/20/instagram-influencer-celebrity-accounts-scraped/ |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 23, 2019 |title=Instagram data breach! 49 million users’ sensitive data exposed online |url=https://cisomag.com/instagram-data-breach-49-million-users-sensitive-data-exposed-online/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251019102516/https://cisomag.com/instagram-data-breach-49-million-users-sensitive-data-exposed-online/ |archive-date=19 Oct 2025}}</ref>. It was later stated that no more than 350.000 accounts were affected and least some of the personal information was set to public by the affected accounts

The database was stored on an Amazon server and wasn't protected by a password<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 21, 2019 |title=Instagram: Facebook probes breach of millions of influencer accounts |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48347592}}</ref>

The database was stored on an Amazon server and wasn't protected by a password<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 21, 2019 |title=Instagram: Facebook probes breach of millions of influencer accounts |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48347592 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260202052918/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48347592 |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref>

The database was open for at least 72 hours, although a researcher verified that it was first accesed on May 14th<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 2019 |title=Millions of Instagram influencers had their contact data scraped and exposed |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/20/instagram-influencer-celebrity-accounts-scraped/}}</ref>

The database was open for at least 72 hours, although a researcher verified that it was first accesed on May 14th<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 2019 |title=Millions of Instagram influencers had their contact data scraped and exposed |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/20/instagram-influencer-celebrity-accounts-scraped/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260202173310/https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/20/instagram-influencer-celebrity-accounts-scraped/ |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref>

===Controversy regarding the data privacy of minors (Mar. 2019)===

Since at least early 2019 until mid-2023 Meta has taken minimal action regarding closing accounts of children under 13, after requests sent from their parents and friends. Meta was actively collecting personal information of these children without their parents consent. This led to a lawsuit against the company in which it was stated that Meta violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA).<ref>{{Cite news |title=Meta collected children’s data from Instagram accounts, unsealed court document alleges |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/26/business/meta-collecting-data-children-facebook}}</ref>

Since at least early 2019 until mid-2023 Meta has taken minimal action regarding closing accounts of children under 13, after requests sent from their parents and friends. Meta was actively collecting personal information of these children without their parents consent. This led to a lawsuit against the company in which it was stated that Meta violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA).<ref>{{Cite news |title=Meta collected children’s data from Instagram accounts, unsealed court document alleges |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/26/business/meta-collecting-data-children-facebook |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251124234550/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/26/business/meta-collecting-data-children-facebook |archive-date=24 Nov 2025}}</ref>

Concerns were also present regarding exposing children to potential harmful content from a young age, which could impact their well-being

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== Other incidents ==

=== API restrictions (June 2016) ===

Starting with June 2016, Instagram imposed restrictions on their API that made it difficult for third-party apps, web front ends and search engines to work.<ref>[https://zeldman.com/2016/06/04/instagram-third-party-developers-drop-dead/ Instagram to third-party developers: drop dead]</ref><ref>[https://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/02/instagram-third-party-apps-websites-dead/ Third-Party Instagram Apps and Websites Cease to Work - Mac Rumors]</ref> Third-party tools like Hashtag Pirate had searching capabilities well beyond Instagram's built-in search tool, such as filtering by multiple tags and limiting by media type (photo or video).<ref>[https://archive.today/2025.10.24-183022/https://web.archive.org/web/20171112094946/http://hashtagpirate.com/news/instagram-blocked-access/ Instagram blocked access] - Hashtag Pirate, June 3, 2016</ref>

Starting with June 2016, Instagram imposed restrictions on their API that made it difficult for third-party apps, web front ends and search engines to work.<ref>[https://zeldman.com/2016/06/04/instagram-third-party-developers-drop-dead/ Instagram to third-party developers: drop dead] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260130093146/https://zeldman.com/2016/06/04/instagram-third-party-developers-drop-dead/ Archived])</ref><ref>[https://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/02/instagram-third-party-apps-websites-dead/ Third-Party Instagram Apps and Websites Cease to Work - Mac Rumors] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251211004701/https://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/02/instagram-third-party-apps-websites-dead/ Archived])</ref> Third-party tools like Hashtag Pirate had searching capabilities well beyond Instagram's built-in search tool, such as filtering by multiple tags and limiting by media type (photo or video).<ref>[https://archive.today/2025.10.24-183022/https://web.archive.org/web/20171112094946/http://hashtagpirate.com/news/instagram-blocked-access/ Instagram blocked access] - Hashtag Pirate, June 3, 2016</ref>

It is similar to [[Reddit#API_paywall,_June_2023|what Reddit did in 2023]], but 7 years earlier.

==Products==

*Boomerang (2015-2022): A standalone app that looped videos.<ref name="IG Verge">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/7/22965754/instagram-boomerang-hyperlapse-app-store-google-play|title=Instagram’s standalone Boomerang and Hyperlapse apps are gone from the App Store and Google Play|first=Jay|last=Peters|date=2022-03-07|work=The Verge|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>

*Boomerang (2015-2022): A standalone app that looped videos.<ref name="IG Verge">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/7/22965754/instagram-boomerang-hyperlapse-app-store-google-play|title=Instagram’s standalone Boomerang and Hyperlapse apps are gone from the App Store and Google Play|first=Jay|last=Peters|date=2022-03-07|work=The Verge|access-date=2026-01-23 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251207133053/https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/7/22965754/instagram-boomerang-hyperlapse-app-store-google-play |archive-date=7 Dec 2025}}</ref>

*Instagram TV (IGTV) (2018-2022): An app for long-form vertical videos.<ref name="IG Verge2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/28/22955646/instagram-shuts-down-separate-igtv-app-video-changes-reels-ads|title=Instagram says it’ll stop supporting the IGTV app|first=Mitchell|last=Clark|date=2022-02-28|work=The Verge|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>

*Instagram TV (IGTV) (2018-2022): An app for long-form vertical videos.<ref name="IG Verge2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/28/22955646/instagram-shuts-down-separate-igtv-app-video-changes-reels-ads|title=Instagram says it’ll stop supporting the IGTV app|first=Mitchell|last=Clark|date=2022-02-28|work=The Verge|access-date=2026-01-23 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260129015219/https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/28/22955646/instagram-shuts-down-separate-igtv-app-video-changes-reels-ads |archive-date=29 Jan 2026}}</ref>

==See also==

@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 |Website=https://www.instagram.com/
 }}
-'''[[wikipedia:Instagram|Instagram]]''' is a global social-media platform and subsidiary of [[Meta]] since 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Apr 2012 |title=Facebook to Acquire Instagram |url=https://about.fb.com/news/2012/04/facebook-to-acquire-instagram/ |url-status=live |access-date=17 Mar 2025 |website=[[Meta]]}}</ref>  Founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram focuses on sharing photos and videos. This content can take the form of a "reel", "post", or a "story".<ref group="notes"><u>Reels:</u> Short videos similar to the format popularized by TikTok.<br><u>Posts:</u> A collection of images or videos.<br><u>Stories:</u> A temporary post that allows photos, videos, and text.</ref> Moreover, Instagram has a direct messaging service and a live streaming service built in.
+'''[[wikipedia:Instagram|Instagram]]''' is a global social-media platform and subsidiary of [[Meta]] since 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 Apr 2012 |title=Facebook to Acquire Instagram |url=https://about.fb.com/news/2012/04/facebook-to-acquire-instagram/ |url-status=live |access-date=17 Mar 2025 |website=[[Meta]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260209050049/https://about.fb.com/news/2012/04/facebook-to-acquire-instagram/ |archive-date=9 Feb 2026}}</ref>  Founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram focuses on sharing photos and videos. This content can take the form of a "reel", "post", or a "story".<ref group="notes"><u>Reels:</u> Short videos similar to the format popularized by TikTok.<br><u>Posts:</u> A collection of images or videos.<br><u>Stories:</u> A temporary post that allows photos, videos, and text.</ref> Moreover, Instagram has a direct messaging service and a live streaming service built in.
-Instagram has been scrutinized for many consumer violations revolving around the extent of its data collection<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cuthberson |first=Anthony |date=18 Mar 2021 |title=Instagram is ‘most invasive app’, new study shows |url=https://www.the-independent.com/tech/instagram-invasive-app-privacy-facebook-b1818453.html |url-status=live |access-date=17 Mar 2025 |website=Independent}}</ref> and the use of said data.
+Instagram has been scrutinized for many consumer violations revolving around the extent of its data collection<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cuthberson |first=Anthony |date=18 Mar 2021 |title=Instagram is ‘most invasive app’, new study shows |url=https://www.the-independent.com/tech/instagram-invasive-app-privacy-facebook-b1818453.html |url-status=live |access-date=17 Mar 2025 |website=Independent |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260130180350/https://www.the-independent.com/tech/instagram-invasive-app-privacy-facebook-b1818453.html |archive-date=30 Jan 2026}}</ref> and the use of said data.
 ==Consumer-protection profile==
@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 ===Privacy===
-*On signup, Instagram collects details such as the user's name, email, phone number, and profile information.<ref name=":0">[https://help.instagram.com/155833707900388?utm_source=chatgpt.com Privacy Policy]</ref>
+*On signup, Instagram collects details such as the user's name, email, phone number, and profile information.<ref name=":0">[https://help.instagram.com/155833707900388?utm_source=chatgpt.com Privacy Policy] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251211065551/https://help.instagram.com/155833707900388?utm_source=chatgpt.com Archived])</ref>
 *Through the use of the app, Instagram collects the following:<ref name=":0" />
 **Interactions including, likes, comments, posts, and direct messages.
@@ Line 43: / Line 43: @@
 *Instagram, as part of Meta, has a forced arbitration clause in its terms of service.
 *Instagram has the ability to remove content without citing a reason.
-*Instagram is granted a license to use, distribute, modify, run, copy, display, and create derivative works of uploaded content.<ref name=":1">[https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870/ Terms of Service]</ref>
+*Instagram is granted a license to use, distribute, modify, run, copy, display, and create derivative works of uploaded content.<ref name=":1">[https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870/ Terms of Service] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260222100652/https://help.instagram.com/581066165581870/ Archived])</ref>
 ==Consumer-protection incidents==
@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 </gallery>
-Instagram already had a "photo map" feature in its early years, which was removed in 2016.<ref>[https://thinkmarketingmagazine.com/instagram-killing-photo-maps-feature/ Instagram killing “photo maps” feature]</ref>
+Instagram already had a "photo map" feature in its early years, which was removed in 2016.<ref>[https://thinkmarketingmagazine.com/instagram-killing-photo-maps-feature/ Instagram killing “photo maps” feature] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260130202048/https://thinkmarketingmagazine.com/instagram-killing-photo-maps-feature/ Archived])</ref>
 ===Instagram shows gore and violence videos to select users (Feb. 2025)===
-In what Instagram calls an "error", some users were shown videos of graphic death scenes and animal abuse in their Reels feed for about a day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milmo |first=Dan |date=2025-02-28 |title=Meta apologises over flood of gore, violence and dead bodies on Instagram |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/28/meta-apologises-over-flood-of-gore-violence-and-dead-bodies-on-instagram |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Meta apologizes, fixes glitch that caused violent video recommendations on Reels |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/27/tech/meta-apologizes-glitch-violent-reels}}</ref>
+In what Instagram calls an "error", some users were shown videos of graphic death scenes and animal abuse in their Reels feed for about a day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Milmo |first=Dan |date=2025-02-28 |title=Meta apologises over flood of gore, violence and dead bodies on Instagram |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/feb/28/meta-apologises-over-flood-of-gore-violence-and-dead-bodies-on-instagram |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 27, 2025 |title=Meta apologizes, fixes glitch that caused violent video recommendations on Reels |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/27/tech/meta-apologizes-glitch-violent-reels |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251103212649/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/27/tech/meta-apologizes-glitch-violent-reels |archive-date=3 Nov 2025}}</ref>
-This also serves as an example for the kind of content Meta staff has to review when flagged and raises questions about the mental health impact watching this type of content all day has on the workers tasked with content moderation.<ref>{{Cite news |title=‘It scars you for life’: Workers sue Meta claiming viewing brutal videos caused psychological trauma |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/19/it-scars-you-for-life-workers-sue-meta-claiming-viewing-brutal-videos-caused-psychological}}</ref>
+This also serves as an example for the kind of content Meta staff has to review when flagged and raises questions about the mental health impact watching this type of content all day has on the workers tasked with content moderation.<ref>{{Cite news |title=‘It scars you for life’: Workers sue Meta claiming viewing brutal videos caused psychological trauma |url=https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/19/it-scars-you-for-life-workers-sue-meta-claiming-viewing-brutal-videos-caused-psychological |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250823162227/https://www.euronews.com/2023/10/19/it-scars-you-for-life-workers-sue-meta-claiming-viewing-brutal-videos-caused-psychological |archive-date=23 Aug 2025}}</ref>
 ===Instagram allows AI to be trained on user data (Mar. 2023)===
 In March 2023, Instagram updated its Terms of Service to allow them to use collected data to train artificial intelligence.<ref name=":1" /> This data includes uploaded photos and videos and the creators were not given compensation. This new TOS was mandatory to accept to continue using the platform.
-Opt-out was available in regions where this was legally required, but involved a ridiculously complicated process using a variety of [[Dark pattern|dark patterns]] to dissuade users from taking Meta up on the offer. The form included a freeform text box where the user had to explain their reasons for opting out and suggested that all requests would be manually reviewed and reserved the right to reject the user's wishes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grinkevičius |first=Paulius |date=2024-05-28 |title=Meta uses your data to train AI, and it doesn't want you to opt out |url=https://cybernews.com/tech/meta-trains-ai-on-your-data/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=cybernews}}</ref>
+Opt-out was available in regions where this was legally required, but involved a ridiculously complicated process using a variety of [[Dark pattern|dark patterns]] to dissuade users from taking Meta up on the offer. The form included a freeform text box where the user had to explain their reasons for opting out and suggested that all requests would be manually reviewed and reserved the right to reject the user's wishes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grinkevičius |first=Paulius |date=2024-05-28 |title=Meta uses your data to train AI, and it doesn't want you to opt out |url=https://cybernews.com/tech/meta-trains-ai-on-your-data/ |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=cybernews |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251007023331/https://cybernews.com/tech/meta-trains-ai-on-your-data/ |archive-date=7 Oct 2025}}</ref>
 ===New iOS Camera Activity Indicator shows camera activity at unexpected moments (2020–2022)===
-Some users reported their camera being accessed while they were not using a feature of the app that ordinarily involves taking pictures or videos. This was revealed by a new indicator in iOS 14 and the same thing was repeated when Android 12 introduced a similar indicator.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why does Instagram use my camera whenever i exit the app? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/s85mv2/why_does_instagram_use_my_camera_whenever_i_exit/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why is Instagram accessing my camera at unexpected moments ? (The new privacy feature from Android 12 shows a red dot at the top right when an app is accessing sensitive hardware) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Instagram/comments/qiyofe/why_is_instagram_accessing_my_camera_at/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram weirdly accessing camera? (more in first comment) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Instagram/comments/ssqeyi/instagram_weirdly_accessing_camera_more_in_first/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>
+Some users reported their camera being accessed while they were not using a feature of the app that ordinarily involves taking pictures or videos. This was revealed by a new indicator in iOS 14 and the same thing was repeated when Android 12 introduced a similar indicator.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why does Instagram use my camera whenever i exit the app? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/s85mv2/why_does_instagram_use_my_camera_whenever_i_exit/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220120004950/https://old.reddit.com/r/AndroidQuestions/comments/s85mv2/why_does_instagram_use_my_camera_whenever_i_exit/ |archive-date=20 Jan 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Why is Instagram accessing my camera at unexpected moments ? (The new privacy feature from Android 12 shows a red dot at the top right when an app is accessing sensitive hardware) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Instagram/comments/qiyofe/why_is_instagram_accessing_my_camera_at/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Reddit]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20211030102434/https://old.reddit.com/r/Instagram/comments/qiyofe/why_is_instagram_accessing_my_camera_at/ |archive-date=30 Oct 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram weirdly accessing camera? (more in first comment) |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Instagram/comments/ssqeyi/instagram_weirdly_accessing_camera_more_in_first/ |url-status=live |access-date=2025-03-19 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>
 In a separate incident '''[I think November 2022]''', users reported suddenly seeing their camera feed behind the Instagram interface when scrolling their feed or interacting with posts '''[SOURCES NEEDED – very difficult to find the reports on this].'''
-Instagram claimed that nothing was recorded in these instances. Their responses never addressed concerns that the camera feed might be used for things like analysing the face for emotional reaction to ads, recording location information or similar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Becker |first=Leo |date=2020-07-27 |title=Unerwünschter iPhone-Kamerazugriff: Instagram verweist auf Bug |url=https://www.heise.de/news/Unerwuenschter-iPhone-Kamerazugriff-Instagram-verweist-auf-Bug-4855850.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Heise Online [German]}}</ref>
+Instagram claimed that nothing was recorded in these instances. Their responses never addressed concerns that the camera feed might be used for things like analysing the face for emotional reaction to ads, recording location information or similar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Becker |first=Leo |date=2020-07-27 |title=Unerwünschter iPhone-Kamerazugriff: Instagram verweist auf Bug |url=https://www.heise.de/news/Unerwuenschter-iPhone-Kamerazugriff-Instagram-verweist-auf-Bug-4855850.html |access-date=2025-03-18 |website=Heise Online [German] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251104105813/https://www.heise.de/news/Unerwuenschter-iPhone-Kamerazugriff-Instagram-verweist-auf-Bug-4855850.html |archive-date=4 Nov 2025}}</ref>
 ===Instagram uses personal data for advertisements without proper consent (Nov. 2020)===
 ===Instagram data breach (May 2019)===
-In May 2019 Instagram suffered a big data breach which exposed sensitive information of almost 50 milion influencers and brands such as phone numbers and email adresses.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 2019 |title=Millions of Instagram influencers had their contact data scraped and exposed |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/20/instagram-influencer-celebrity-accounts-scraped/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 23, 2019 |title=Instagram data breach! 49 million users’ sensitive data exposed online |url=https://cisomag.com/instagram-data-breach-49-million-users-sensitive-data-exposed-online/}}</ref>. It was later stated that no more than 350.000 accounts were affected and least some of the personal information was set to public by the affected accounts
+In May 2019 Instagram suffered a big data breach which exposed sensitive information of almost 50 milion influencers and brands such as phone numbers and email adresses.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 2019 |title=Millions of Instagram influencers had their contact data scraped and exposed |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/20/instagram-influencer-celebrity-accounts-scraped/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260202173310/https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/20/instagram-influencer-celebrity-accounts-scraped/ |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=May 23, 2019 |title=Instagram data breach! 49 million users’ sensitive data exposed online |url=https://cisomag.com/instagram-data-breach-49-million-users-sensitive-data-exposed-online/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251019102516/https://cisomag.com/instagram-data-breach-49-million-users-sensitive-data-exposed-online/ |archive-date=19 Oct 2025}}</ref>. It was later stated that no more than 350.000 accounts were affected and least some of the personal information was set to public by the affected accounts
-The database was stored on an Amazon server and wasn't protected by a password<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 21, 2019 |title=Instagram: Facebook probes breach of millions of influencer accounts |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48347592}}</ref>
+The database was stored on an Amazon server and wasn't protected by a password<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 21, 2019 |title=Instagram: Facebook probes breach of millions of influencer accounts |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48347592 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260202052918/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-48347592 |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref>
-The database was open for at least 72 hours, although a researcher verified that it was first accesed on May 14th<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 2019 |title=Millions of Instagram influencers had their contact data scraped and exposed |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/20/instagram-influencer-celebrity-accounts-scraped/}}</ref>
+The database was open for at least 72 hours, although a researcher verified that it was first accesed on May 14th<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 20, 2019 |title=Millions of Instagram influencers had their contact data scraped and exposed |url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/20/instagram-influencer-celebrity-accounts-scraped/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260202173310/https://techcrunch.com/2019/05/20/instagram-influencer-celebrity-accounts-scraped/ |archive-date=2 Feb 2026}}</ref>
 ===Controversy regarding the data privacy of minors (Mar. 2019)===
-Since at least early 2019 until mid-2023 Meta has taken minimal action regarding closing accounts of children under 13, after requests sent from their parents and friends. Meta was actively collecting personal information of these children without their parents consent. This led to a lawsuit against the company in which it was stated that Meta violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA).<ref>{{Cite news |title=Meta collected children’s data from Instagram accounts, unsealed court document alleges |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/26/business/meta-collecting-data-children-facebook}}</ref>
+Since at least early 2019 until mid-2023 Meta has taken minimal action regarding closing accounts of children under 13, after requests sent from their parents and friends. Meta was actively collecting personal information of these children without their parents consent. This led to a lawsuit against the company in which it was stated that Meta violated the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule (COPPA).<ref>{{Cite news |title=Meta collected children’s data from Instagram accounts, unsealed court document alleges |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/26/business/meta-collecting-data-children-facebook |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251124234550/https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/26/business/meta-collecting-data-children-facebook |archive-date=24 Nov 2025}}</ref>
 Concerns were also present regarding exposing children to potential harmful content from a young age, which could impact their well-being
@@ Line 95: / Line 95: @@
 == Other incidents ==
 === API restrictions (June 2016) ===
-Starting with June 2016, Instagram imposed restrictions on their API that made it difficult for third-party apps, web front ends and search engines to work.<ref>[https://zeldman.com/2016/06/04/instagram-third-party-developers-drop-dead/ Instagram to third-party developers: drop dead]</ref><ref>[https://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/02/instagram-third-party-apps-websites-dead/ Third-Party Instagram Apps and Websites Cease to Work - Mac Rumors]</ref> Third-party tools like Hashtag Pirate had searching capabilities well beyond Instagram's built-in search tool, such as filtering by multiple tags and limiting by media type (photo or video).<ref>[https://archive.today/2025.10.24-183022/https://web.archive.org/web/20171112094946/http://hashtagpirate.com/news/instagram-blocked-access/ Instagram blocked access] - Hashtag Pirate, June 3, 2016</ref>
+Starting with June 2016, Instagram imposed restrictions on their API that made it difficult for third-party apps, web front ends and search engines to work.<ref>[https://zeldman.com/2016/06/04/instagram-third-party-developers-drop-dead/ Instagram to third-party developers: drop dead] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260130093146/https://zeldman.com/2016/06/04/instagram-third-party-developers-drop-dead/ Archived])</ref><ref>[https://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/02/instagram-third-party-apps-websites-dead/ Third-Party Instagram Apps and Websites Cease to Work - Mac Rumors] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20251211004701/https://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/02/instagram-third-party-apps-websites-dead/ Archived])</ref> Third-party tools like Hashtag Pirate had searching capabilities well beyond Instagram's built-in search tool, such as filtering by multiple tags and limiting by media type (photo or video).<ref>[https://archive.today/2025.10.24-183022/https://web.archive.org/web/20171112094946/http://hashtagpirate.com/news/instagram-blocked-access/ Instagram blocked access] - Hashtag Pirate, June 3, 2016</ref>
 It is similar to [[Reddit#API_paywall,_June_2023|what Reddit did in 2023]], but 7 years earlier.
 ==Products==
-*Boomerang (2015-2022): A standalone app that looped videos.<ref name="IG Verge">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/7/22965754/instagram-boomerang-hyperlapse-app-store-google-play|title=Instagram’s standalone Boomerang and Hyperlapse apps are gone from the App Store and Google Play|first=Jay|last=Peters|date=2022-03-07|work=The Verge|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>
+*Boomerang (2015-2022): A standalone app that looped videos.<ref name="IG Verge">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/7/22965754/instagram-boomerang-hyperlapse-app-store-google-play|title=Instagram’s standalone Boomerang and Hyperlapse apps are gone from the App Store and Google Play|first=Jay|last=Peters|date=2022-03-07|work=The Verge|access-date=2026-01-23 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251207133053/https://www.theverge.com/2022/3/7/22965754/instagram-boomerang-hyperlapse-app-store-google-play |archive-date=7 Dec 2025}}</ref>
-*Instagram TV (IGTV) (2018-2022): An app for long-form vertical videos.<ref name="IG Verge2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/28/22955646/instagram-shuts-down-separate-igtv-app-video-changes-reels-ads|title=Instagram says it’ll stop supporting the IGTV app|first=Mitchell|last=Clark|date=2022-02-28|work=The Verge|access-date=2026-01-23}}</ref>
+*Instagram TV (IGTV) (2018-2022): An app for long-form vertical videos.<ref name="IG Verge2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/28/22955646/instagram-shuts-down-separate-igtv-app-video-changes-reels-ads|title=Instagram says it’ll stop supporting the IGTV app|first=Mitchell|last=Clark|date=2022-02-28|work=The Verge|access-date=2026-01-23 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260129015219/https://www.theverge.com/2022/2/28/22955646/instagram-shuts-down-separate-igtv-app-video-changes-reels-ads |archive-date=29 Jan 2026}}</ref>
 ==See also==