Facebook is a launching
legal action against a software dev in Istanbul who has been running a range of Instagram 'viewer' sites. These sites essentially scrape user data from Instagram, and republishes these scraped data on these viewer sites. The dev then generates income by running ads on the sites.
Facebook explains this is an open and shut case of copyright violation:
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"[Ensar] Sahinturk used automation software to scrape public profiles, photos and videos from more than 100,000 Instagram accounts without Instagram's permission and in violation of our Terms. He then published this data on a network of clone sites, where anyone could enter an Instagram username to view Instagram user profiles, pictures, videos, stories, hashtags and locations."
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In the screenshot above, the platform is presented as an Instagram insights tool, providing "data on hashtag usage and locations", among others. This data however, is just stolen from Instagram, and users have no protection as to how this data is used. Facebook also adds:
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"Data scraping undermines people's privacy and ability to control their information, and is prohibited by our Terms. This case is the latest example of our actions to disrupt those who scrape user data as part of our ongoing commitment to protect our community, enforce our policies and hold people accountable for abusing our services."
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Data scrapers, no matter the intention, are questionable. Chime in.
