Facebook continues to try and figure out how to monetize their free service – by taking advantage of you. A must read on CNET, here’s a couple of notable quips from the article. Link
Under the new policy, Facebook claims the perpetual right to license all public Instagram photos to companies or any other organization, including for advertising purposes, which would effectively transform the Web site into the world’s largest stock photo agency.
One irked Twitter user quipped that “Instagram is now the new iStockPhoto, except they won’t have to pay you anything to use your images.”
Reginald Braithwaite, an author and software developer, posted a tongue-in-cheek “translation” of the new Instagram policy today: “You are not our customers, you are the cattle we drive to market and auction off to the highest bidder. Enjoy your feed and keep producing the milk.”
Yeah, but it’s free.
UPDATE
Looks like they “clarified” their terms and conditions. Or… maybe not. Hmmm… Read this at Asbury & Asbury.
I won’t go on through the rest of statement, but the whole thing reminds me of a politician talking in confident, clear-sounding language – full of ‘let’s be clear’ and ‘we’re listening’ – without actually being very clear at all. It’s tonally beguiling, but fundamentally deceptive.
Yeah, but it’s free.