Instagram’s recent changes to its privacy policy and terms of service became effective on January 19, 2013 after causing quite the stir among users who feared a breach of privacy.

Many people were lead to believe that updated terms would allow the company to sell user pictures to advertisers without their knowledge, permission or compensation. However, this is not the case. Instagram co-founder Kevin Systrom clarified in his blog post that “Instagram has no intention of selling your photos, and we never did. We don’t own your photos – you do.”

The recent launch of Instagram web profiles also raises some concern about privacy. The new profiles feature a collage of recently shared photographs that form a header along with a profile photo and bio, giving others a snapshot of the photos you share on Instagram. In addition, you can follow users, comment & like photos and edit your profile from the web.

With the new web profiles, anyone is able to view a public user’s Instagram profile online. To those who worry that their photos will now be on display for the whole world to see, have no fear. As long as your photos are set to private, your photos will be visible only to logged-in Instagram users you’ve allowed to follow you. Those who don’t want to share their photos on the Web can simply set their profiles to private.