Instagram faces lawsuit over changes

INSTAGRAM is facing a civil lawsuit as a result of the changes it introduced to its Terms of Service.

The changes led to user protests and threats to quit the photo-sharing app. There is no opt-out option for current users, who can deactivate their profile, but lose the rights to photos they had previously uploaded.

The terms, which are due to come into effect on January 16, mentioned the power to sell users’ photos without warning or compensation, and included a mandatory arbitration clause, which forced users to waive their rights to participate in a class-action lawsuit except under very limited circumstances.

Instagram later deleted some of the parts referring to using photos for advertisements without compensation.

Facebook, which acquired Instagram earlier this year for US$715 million, has denounced the lawsuit.  “We believe this complaint is without merit and we will fight it vigorously,” stated Facebook spokesman Andrew Noyes.