Privacy Protection of Social Networking

ServicesAn Analysis of the Privacy Policies of Flickr, Instagram,

and Pinterest

OutlineMy paper summarized the privacy policies of Flickr, Instagram and Pinterest and afterwards compare the three policies to illustrate the similarities and differences.

Flickr InstagramPinterestSimilaritiesDifferencesObservationsQuestions

FlickrFlickr is an online photo management tool that

allows users to share photos, maintain a photo blog, and store up to a terabyte of data for free.

The policy stipulates: • What information is collected;• How Flickr discloses users’ information;• How Flickr manages user photo metadata and

geolocation data. • Specific policies towards accessing users’ Cookies• The ability to customize preferences and delete

information; and • Flickr’s confidentiality and security measures.

Instagram Instagram is a social networking service that enables

photo sharing, photo editing, and video sharing.

The Privacy Policy covers: What information is collected; How the information is used; How user’s information is stored; How long Instagram keeps user’s content; Children privacy; Instagram’s responsibility for the practices of third party

affiliates.

Instagram’s privacy policy is: “… if you're "public" on Instagram, anyone can subscribe to follow your photos. We do, however, have a special private option. In this mode, a user can make sure he/she must approve all “follow” requests before they go through”.

PinterestPinterest is a pin-board photo sharing and image

book marking website that allows users create “boards” to help organize images.

The privacy policy outlines: What information is collected;How the information is used; What choices users have about their information; How the information is shared; Children privacy; andHow they can change their policies

Similarities The privacy policies use a simple social networking

architecture, such as bullets points and headers, to ensure a more user-friendly policy that is clearly understood.

All three privacy policies collect initial sign up information, such as name, email, phone number and will use this information to further contact users with new Terms of Service, Updates and any changes

By accepting the privacy policies users accept that third party applications will have access to users’ information. Third party applications enable third party analytics, which permits scanning user information, and retaining any cookies and archives for further research on user trends.

Differences Flickr allows users to change their privacy settings for each

photo, unlike Instagram and Pinterest, which do not allow any customized privacy settings on photos once they are uploaded on their platforms.

Flickr timestamps each photos with the specific metadata regarding the file format, combined with GPS data.

The “follow” options – All photos hosted on Instagram and Pinterest are public to those who you “follow”.

Pinterest is among a number of companies that give users the option of not being tracked. Many companies track users’ habits with the hopes of offering more intrusive advertising.

Observations What happens when you choose to delete your

account?

Companies juggle protecting users’ personal information and the need disclose that information in order to provide better services.  

There are similarities and differences between the “follow” models in these three photo sites.

What happens or doesn’t happen when users are “blocked” from following?

Conclusion and Questions

Which photo-sharing service will you use next time you upload photos?

Q&A’s?

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