New Instagram Policy Raises Privacy Concerns

A new policy on Instagram may cause some users to delete their accounts.

Starting in just a few weeks, Instagram may sell your photos without paying or even telling you. This change in policy on Instagram will take place starting January 16, 2013, but it's already unleashed a public outcry that could change the company's mind.

This is basically what the policy says: Facebook, which owns Instagram, claims the ongoing right to license all public Instagram photos to companies or any other organization, including for advertising purposes. This means a company can pay Facebook for your Instagram photos, without your knowledge or payment to you. Even pictures of your kids could be free game for advertisers.

Read Instagram's new policy.

CNET reached out to Facebook for comment, but it hasn't responded to any questions.

You can't opt out of the policy.  The only way to get out of it is deleting your Instagram account before January 16, 2013.

The policy is unclear, but if you wait until after the deadline to delete your Instagram, it may still be able to use pictures that had been on your account.