I learned that from a GDPR request
Instagram, data protection – social media, security: These are two topics that don’t seem to go together. That’s why we sent a GDPR request to Instagram. The information about our personal data surprises us positively. An analysis.
Contents
Instagram data protection: Download link is only valid for four days
Instagram allows itself up to 30 days to compile all personal data in a concise and compact manner. Our text on providing GDPR information to Instagram or Meta ended with this information.
The first conclusion: We only had to wait five days – and then another hour. The background: If you ignore the e-mail with the download link, you may have to make a second request because the link is only valid for four days to protect your data. However, this update request is processed very quickly.
Instagram, privacy and the quest for security
As soon as you click on a valid link, the download does not start immediately. Instead, you will be navigated back to your Instagram account. You must enter your password twice before accessing your personal data.
These security measures are very convincing. Because it shows that Instagram data protection is not a trifle. Those responsible for the social network have given some thought. In contrast to other digital corporations, this is very commendable.
Your data on Instagram: File in JSON or HTML format
If you identify you on Instagram with your access data you can still decide in which form your personal information should be made available to you.
On the one hand, you can opt for the JSON format. This form is used for the simple exchange of information between different digital platforms. Accordingly, this format can be complicated or unsightly for users without a technical background.
The simple and certainly more understandable variant is the HTML format, which you can opt for on the other hand. If you choose this option, you can open your data in a browser – for example in the Edge browser – and easily decrypt the information.
300 MB, 30 folders and over 2,000 files: Instagram presents your data in such detail
Anyone who wants to delve deeper into the relationship between Instagram, data protection and personal data will – once again – be pleasantly surprised. In fact, the positive impression of the download continues in the actual implementation.
Instagram divides the information into a total of 30 folders. These include, for example:
- Advertisers using your data.
- Ads you clicked on.
- Videos you’ve watched.
- comments you wrote.
- Technical information about the devices you use.
- Your login and logout data
- A history of your password changes.
- messages you have sent.
- Interests you (allegedly) have.
Some folders contain only one file with “No Data” as the name. This is always the case if Instagram has not saved any data about you in the corresponding category. Since I have forbidden the release of the contact list, there is no content in the “Contacts”.
Instagram as a role model for other digital platforms
Depending on how interested you are in your data or the data that Instagram has stored about you, the more time you can spend browsing through these extremely interesting files.
Overall, it can be said that the responsible team at Instagram has implemented the requirements of the European General Data Protection Regulation very conscientiously. There are other digital platforms that should follow suit.
Also interesting:
