Instagram today released a new Data Download feature which is designed to let Instagram users download a copy of their photos, videos, stories, profile info, comments, and messages to comply with the European Union's upcoming GDPR privacy law.
While the privacy law is only applicable in Europe, Instagram has made the new download tool, accessible here as long as you're signed in to an Instagram account, available to all of its users.
An Instagram spokesperson told TechCrunch that while the Data Download tool is "currently accessible to everyone on the web," access via Android and iOS is still rolling out.
Once a data download request is submitted to Instagram, it takes some time for the data to be prepared. The company asks users to input an email address, with a download link set after the data is gathered. Instagram says data requests can take up to 48 hours to be fulfilled.
This is the first time that Instagram has offered users an option to download all of their data, including their photos that have been uploaded to the social network.
Instagram parent company Facebook has had a download data option for quite some time, and people have been surprised to find what kind of data Facebook is collecting. It appears the Instagram tool will be more limited in scope, but it will include all of a user's personal information.
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Top Rated Comments
Something I remember my father telling me decades ago was "try not to sign up for marketing even if they offer something free in return". This was back when data processing was nowhere near the level it is today, and marketing was generally limited to postal or telephone spam.
I do want to know what data these companies have on me. I have the right to be forgotten. GDPR helps with that. Thanks to the EU for getting this in place.