Without competition, Instagram is currently the most popular platform, used by almost half of the entire world’s population. As each user creates and builds their profile, it is clear that Instagram collects AND uses data about its users. Considering that Instagram requires permission to access certain data outside of the profile, such as access to the camera, location, phone directory, etc., the question is how private all our data is.
Of course, the main goal for which Instagram collects data on all users is to improve the provision of services, and to offer content that best suits the interests of each individual, but also to provide opportunities for earning, connecting and discovering new and useful opportunities in general.
The first and most important point is that Instagram does not collect the same amount of data about all users. Depending on what the user wants to use their profile for, Instagram requires data entry as well as authorization to access some such as credit card information, business partnership information, and the like.
The most basic scope in which data is collected and stored by this social network is the scope of those users who access Instagram for entertainment. Anyone who created a profile used to have to allow access to the camera, phonebook contacts, microphone, files and multimedia files (pictures, videos, etc.), and the phone.
Further, for the sake of paid partnerships and cooperation with brands, Instagram will ask for access to data such as payment information, such as a credit card number, other profiles that some users may create or information on the basis of which the authenticity of the user can be determined, then billing, deliveries and more detailed contacts.
It is important to emphasize that Instagram never requires information about gender, real name and surname, nor the exact date of birth (but the minimum age the user must be is 13 for now). Therefore, in the event that Instagram contacts someone for any reason, it will use your username, which you have chosen yourself, and which is unique, and not your real name.
Furthermore, it is clearly emphasized that some information required when
creating a profile is mandatory, such as an e-mail address or phone number,
while others are optional, and users decide for themselves whether they want
to enter them or not, such as is automatic connection on Instagram with
Facebook friends (Meta, once Facebook owns Instagram as well, as well as WhatsApp).
The reasons for which Instagram collects information, according to their statements, are to promote security, protection and integrity, to provide analytical data to improve the business services of users, communications, research and innovation.
Instagram does not sell user information to third parties, but uses it to connect users with goods that users themselves want to be provided based on the options that Instagram offers and users use, as well as in connection with legal requirements, in terms of compliance with the law, and enabling compliance legal order.
And finally, if any user decides to delete the profile, with such an activity he deletes everything he published, but not the information he previously provided, that is, to which Instagram allowed access. In this regard, the Data Protection Policy is clearly stated, and in this sense it is determined how long Instagram will store your data, which we write about below:
If the information is required for the operation or provision of services by Instagram; If the information is required to fulfill legal obligations; If they are needed for use for other legitimate purposes such as preventing harm; If they are needed to investigate possible violations of Instagram's terms of use or to protect the company (Instagram) of its property or services.
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