Instagram photo service acquired by Facebook in April for $1 billion, lost half of its daily visitors. The drastic change in terms of traffic of the online photo-sharing portal occurred in less than a month. The decrease in the Instagram users happened after the allegations that it planned to sell users’ pictures. The number of people using Instagram every day reached 16.35 million, a figure was recorded on December 17, 2012, according to Daily Mail. But this week the number of daily users has dropped to 8.42 million.
Late last year the announcement of Instagram that it would use photos taken by its users for commercial purposes has sparked a wave of revolt from registered members. A new Instagram clause provided that all or part of the service could financially support from advertising. Also, the clause also provides that the users of Instagram service agree that their account information such as name, the number of likes and images (and any other associated data) or actions that they undertake to be used for free by Facebook, which owns Instagram, in promotional messages and advertising.
This means that photos on Instagram could be used in promotional materials without referring to the original poster, and the money could be used by Instagram. Users that did not agree with the new terms of service were invited to delete their accounts.
Later, through a post made on the official Instagram blog, co-founder of the service, Kevin Systrom speaks about the new version of the privacy policy. It states that the new terms and conditions of operation of Instagram will take effect thirty days after their announcement. Systrom tried to bring clarifications in this case arguing that Instagram will not sell users’ photos.
Several celebrities, including TV star Kim Kardashian and “Family Guy” actor Seth Green have announced that they would delete their Instagram accounts.
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