In Case You Haven't Noticed: Instagram Owns You

Do you take pictures with your phone camera and upload them to your Instagram account? Do your kids, family, co-workers or friends? If you answered "Yes," to any of the above, then read on.

The following are a few wretchedly insightful points about Instagram’s new terms of service. Their new "Terms of Use," to be precise, were rolled out on Dec. 20, 2020.

This occurred while everyone was looking the other way: at holidays, lockdowns, and election coverage.

In sum, I present you these top points, as gleaned from the super smart analysis presented by J.P. Sears, one of the most satirically intelligent voices out there today.

You can find him at "AwakenWithJP" on Parler and other social media channels. I do not know him, but I do follow J.P., as he can poke fun at, in bite-sized video bits, such serious trending topics as "socialist media" and the "ethnic cleansing of thought.")

Note, by continuing to use Instagram, you have de facto agreed to all of their terms of use.

I'm still awaiting legal counsel determination if this applies to EU residents as well, where tougher privacy rights, the Digital Services Act, have been enacted inclusive of online and social media participation.

Unfortunately, for anyone in the U.S. and Canada, these rules most certainly are enforceable, theoretically at least.

Does it comes down to what individual or even corporate user of Instagram can fight a potential "use infringement" case against a multibillion dollar social media corporation?

Bear in mind that the new "Terms of Use" come hot on the heels of DOJ’s filed lawsuit against Facebook, Instagram’s parent company:

On December 9, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission sued Facebook, alleging the company has illegally maintained a “personal social networking monopoly through a years-long course of anticompetitive conduct.” The lawsuit could require the divestment of Instagram and Whatsapp from Facebook, among other prohibitive measures.

"Obviously we disagree with the accusations," said Instagram head Adam Mosseri in a story posted to the app and on Twitter. "The FTC cleared the acquisition of Instagram more than eight years ago." Facebook bought Instagram for $715 million in 2013 and Whatsapp for $22 billion in 2014 — acquisitions that were approved by regulators at the time.

Important Points To Know As An Instagram User:

Instagram can access and record things through your camera.
Instagram can copy your address book, call log, text message history, collect information from everything you search online.
Instagram can access and record everything on your computer.
Device Information

" . . . we collect information from and about the computers, phones, connected TVs, and other web-connected devices you use that integrate with our products and we combine this information across different devices you use…" 2:00 on Video (Instagram justifies this by explaining it helps them with their ad optimization).

Harvesting Information

"Network and connections: Information such as the name of your mobile operator or ISP, language, time zone, mobile phone number, IP address, connection speed, and in some cases, information about other devices that are nearby or on your network . . . " (Instagram justifies this by adding, "so we can do things like help you stream a video from your phone to your TV). 2:16 on Video

They will also take information from your entire text message history and address book.
"All Accounts Used" Information Harvesting

Instagram is now harvesting "Identifiers: unique identifiers, device IDs and other identifiers such as from games, apps, or accounts you use (emphasis mine) and Family Device IDs (or other identifiers unique to Facebook Company Products associated with the same device or account.)”

Translation: this means everything:

All accounts means banking, credit cards, medical, etc. etc.

Your Username/ Domain Name now belongs to Instagram

"You can’t use a Domain Name or URL in your username without our prior written consent. (They add: "Permission you give to us: As part of our agreement you also give us permissions that we need to provide the Service.").

Translation: All media brands, all influencers, all brands and companies, everyone — you no longer own the name of your brand associated with your Instagram account unless Instagram/Facebook has given you written consent.

Thus, 99.9% of all businesses/influencers/ brands promoting their goods and services on Instagram who also hold a URL, website, shop or company using the same name are now in violation of a multi-billion dollar company’s Terms of Use.

Just thought you should know. And remember, "Obedience is Next to Godliness" as some would have us believe.

Learn More Here:

Instagram's New Data Privacy Policy. What You Need to Know: Click Here.

https://techwellness.com/blogs/expertise/instagram-privacy-policy

Instagram’s New Terms of Service

Socialist Media - The New Rules

Facts About The Fact Checkers

(FactCheck.org - a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center )

Paige Donner has contributed to Newsmax since 2018. She's a media expert, commentator, novelist, and serial entrepreneur. She founded the company, Paris Food And Wine in 2013. In 2018, she founded IoTShipping, a supply chain logistics startup that uses the Internet of Things (IoT) for precision traceability of shipped goods. Paige began her journalism career in Paris, France in 1990. Her first job out of university was with Time-Life's rue Fbg. St. Honore offices. Within the next two years, she took freelancing work as a copy editor for the International Herald Tribune, now re-branded the International New York Times, as well as writing assignments for Variety — the film and television trade magazine. Paige has also clerked for the Senate President of the Hawaii State Legislature. A filmmaker, she has written several television pilots as well as directed television commercials and film shorts. She also contributed to American Cinematographer, the Los Angeles Times, Daily Variety, Huffpost, and a film production trade magazine, Below The Line. As of 2010, Paige has again made Paris, France her home. She has also written for the International New York Times. Since 2013, she has been the sole regular local editor/photographer contributor based in Paris, France for USA Today. Read Paige Donner's Reports — More Here.