Khurram Aziz k.aziz@mobilenapps.com
The fall-out from Instagram's proposed change in its Terms of Service shows no sign of abating, as its most-followed user, Kim Kardashian, has said she is ready to leave the service.
Kardashian has over 5.7 million followers on the Facebook-owned photo-sharing app, but, like many Instagram users, she seems concerned with the terms published earlier in the week.
"I really loved Instagram :-( I need to review this new policy. I don't think its fair," she Tweeted on Tuesday.
That was before Instagram's co-founder Kevin Systrom made a statement in an attempt to reassure users.
"Yesterday we introduced a new version of our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service that will take effect in thirty days," said Systrom. "Since making these changes, we've heard loud and clear that many users are confused and upset about what the changes mean."
In particular eye-brows were raised with new terms which seemed to give Instagram permission to sell user photos to advertisers.
"To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you," read Instagram's new terms of service.
However, Systrom said that Instagram has no intention to sell its users' photographs in the way many fear.
"The language we proposed also raised question about whether your photos can be part of an advertisement. We do not have plans for anything like this and because of that we're going to remove the language that raised the question," explained Systrom. "Our main goal is to avoid things like advertising banners you see in other apps that would hurt the Instagram user experience. Instead, we want to create meaningful ways to help you discover new and interesting accounts and content while building a self-sustaining business at the same time."
But Kardashian isn't convinced. The website TMZ reports that the celebrity has told friends that she's thinking about shutting down her Instagram account.
"One source close to Kim tells us the reality star is planning on waiting to see the revised T.O.S. before she makes her final decision," said TMZ. "But unless she sees some radical changes, she's outtie 5000."
Instagram's new terms of service are due to come into effect on Jan. 16, 2013.
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