Instagram made numerous attempts early in the week to assure it's users their photos would not be sold. However after several attempts to curb the negative publicity Instagram has decided to roll back the section of it's new terms and conditions that left users and the media in an uproar.
In their company blog Instagram announced they'd be rolling back to their original terms and conditions as they pertain to advertising which have been in place since 2010. The following is the provision that has now been removed from the terms of service.
"To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you."
Instagram CEO and co-founder goes on to say the following via the company blog.
"Going forward, rather than obtain permission from you to introduce possible advertising products we have not yet developed, we are going to take the time to complete our plans, and then come back to our users and explain how we would like for our advertising business to work,".
Whether Instagram users will be satisfied by the TOS rollback remains to be seen. What is abundantly clear is that Instagram is a privately held business who has the liberty to attempt and turn a profit. Likewise Instagram users have the liberty to use one of many competing photo sharing services.