Fact Check: Instagram new rule deadline; privacy policy being updated?

A viral message about "updated privacy policy" has created panic among Instagram users. The message claims that Facebook-owned social media platform can make your DMs and photos "public" and even "deleted" messages will be retrieved to be used in court cases.

The message asks users to explicitly deny permission to Instagram to use and share the content posted on their profiles and also asks users to mention in the post that "the content of this profile is private and confidential." 

The message also claims that Channel 13 News has reported about a change in Instagram's privacy policy which will "start" from tomorrow and the deadline to deny permission is "today". 

A part of the message says that "NOTE: Instagram is now a public entity" to mislead users.

Here is the message:

"Don't target tomorrow starts the new Instagram rule where they can use your photos. Don't forget Deadline today!!! It can be used in court cases in litigation against you. Everything you've ever posted becomes public from today Even messages that have been deleted or the photos not allowed. It costs nothing for a simple copy and paste, better safe than sorry. Channel 13 News talked about the change in Instagram's privacy policy. I do not give Instagram or any entities associated with Instagram permission to use my pictures, information, messages or posts, both past and future. With this statement, I give notice to Instagram it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, or take any other action against me based on this profile and/or its contents. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of privacy can be punished by law (UCC 1-308- 1 1 308-103 and the Rome Statute. NOTE: Instagram is now a public entity. All members must post a note like this. If you prefer, you can copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once it will be tacitly allowing the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in the profile status updates. Instagram DOES NOT HAVE MY PERMISSION TO SHARE PHOTOS OR MESSAGES"

The message is now being shared by hundreds of people through Instagram stories and posts.

The news is fake, similar messages had hit Facebook as well in the past and even this message seems doctored where the word "Facebook" is been whited out from screenshot of an earlier message and "Instagram" have been added (see "Instagram" in the first line). The message says the deadline is today but doesn't mention a date and the message is being circulated from over 2 days now, so you are most probably already late.

Moreover, Instagram is owned by Facebook and is not a public entity. Even if it was a public entity, it would not give the company right to violate your privacy or disclose privately shared content.