Recently, many celebrities shared an Instagram post in hopes to protect their photos on the app, but it was fake! Instagram access and analyzes posted content including hashtags, comments, keywords and geotags. The information is used to create customer segments to sell to marketers. A social hoax is like chain mail, only worse because viewers are receiving this message from people they trust. In the eye of the general public, celebrities have more social legitimacy. Therefore, when a celebrity shares content, it is more likely to spread further than other posts.
Feel free to repost!! #nothanksinstagram https://t.co/fuV3LV71lm
— Rick Perry (@GovernorPerry) August 21, 2019
The hoax not only shows the simplicity of spreading theory or propaganda, but also incorrectly advises to pass the message of a change in Instagram’s privacy policy. Celebrities that fell for the Instagram hoax include Usher, Rob Lowe, Niall Horan, Pink, Julia Roberts and John Mayer. According to theverge.com, a section of Instagram’s Terms of Use states, “We do not claim ownership of your content, but you grant us a license to use it” and you can end the license at any time by “deleting your content or account.”
Copypasta proliferates because the idea it is based upon is almost true https://t.co/grnVAjtGki
— New York Magazine (@NYMag) August 27, 2019
All users of platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter agreed to their terms and privacy policies when they registered. I do know that so long as I am using online services, my content is accessible to the public. I would like to know why Instagram is doing very little to stop the spread of misinformation.