Instagram Releases New 'Data Download' Tool for Downloading Photos, Videos, Messages and More

[MacRumors]

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.

Article Link: Instagram Releases New 'Data Download' Tool for Downloading Photos, Videos, Messages and More

 

[tzm41]

Yep, good thing that GDPR is coming into effect.

 

[fairuz]

Why is this useful?

 

[tzm41]

Why is this useful?

What if someone wants to archive their stuffs locally and shut down their Instagram account?

 

[fairuz]

What if someone wants to archive their stuffs locally and shut down their Instagram account?

They can have a tool to do that without it being the full data dump that includes things besides photos. I tried Facebook's, and it was excessive.

 

[itsmilo]

Maybe I would like to know what data they have on me?

 

[larrylaffer]

They can have a tool to do that without it being the full data dump that includes things besides photos. I tried Facebook's, and it was excessive.

It's better to have too much rather than too little. I think the logic is self-evident.

 

[japanime]

They can have a tool to do that without it being the full data dump that includes things besides photos. I tried Facebook's, and it was excessive.

I agree. The data Facebook collects on its users is excessive.

 

[fairuz]

It's better to have too much rather than too little. I think the logic is self-evident.

I'm annoyed because now every small company trying to do business in the EU has to create a mechanism to fully dump a user's data, as if it really matters. More of a security threat and unnecessary busywork than anything.

 

[Maetzle]

I'm annoyed because now every small company trying to do business in the EU has to create a mechanism to fully dump a user's data, as if it really matters. More of a security threat and unnecessary busywork than anything.

Oh no, companies having to show what they have on their users. Poor Facebook, damn the EU. /s

 

[Keane16]

as if it really matters.

As someone who lives in an area that falls under the GDPR umbrella, it really does matter to me.

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.

 

[fairuz]

As someone who lives in an area that falls under the GDPR umbrella, it really does matter to me.

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.

You don't need GDPR to have a right to be forgotten. Also, you can just not use stuff if you don't want to.

 

[Keane16]

You don't need GDPR to have a right to be forgotten. Also, you can just not use stuff if you don't want to.

GDPR makes things much easier for the average person managing their data stored by businesses. That's a win in my book.

Extremely happy GDPR is a thing alongside the DPA 2018.

 

[fairuz]

GDPR makes things much easier for the average person managing their data stored by businesses. That's a win in my book.

Extremely happy GDPR is a thing alongside the DPA 2018.

Does the average person really care about controlling their data? I know people act like they care, but if they've been using this data-sucking stuff for the past 10 years anyway while every single media outlet showed how much they tracked everyone, then it seems like they don't care.

Facebook is happy about GDPR, btw. Puts tons of barriers for startups.