Instagram's foray into e-commerce might be a big step towards Mark Zuckerberg's privacy vision

Instagram has anunced a new feature called ‘Checkout.’ feature lets users buy products from ir favourite brands without leaving app interface. Here is what Instagram’s new checkout feature is all about. Instagram released a short clip demonstrating how it works. Instagram charges sellers a fee to sell ir products on platform.

This way, brands can promote and sell ir products directly through Instagram posts, which is kind of similar to native vertising. Such posts contain a shopping bag icon to indicate users that products visible in post are up for grabs.

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listing shows all necessary information like name of product as well as brand. Depending on product category, interested users can select ir colour and size and finalise purchase. Of course, you have to enter your name, email, shipping dress and all or necessary details. Instagram tifies users once order is placed and delivered. Instagram allows users to save ir credit/debit card for faster checkout.

‘Checkout on Instagram’ is currently in closed beta and is limited to following business in US:

• idas @idaswomen & @idasoriginals
• Anastasia Beverly Hills @anastasiabeverlyhills
• Balmain @balmain
• Burberry @burberry
• ColourPop @colourpopcosmetics
• Dior @dior
• H&M @hm
• Huda Beauty @hudabeautyshop
• KKW @kkwbeauty
• Kylie Cosmetics @kyliecosmetics
• MAC Cosmetics @maccosmetics
• Michael Kors @michaelkors
• NARS @narsissist
• Nike @niketraining & @nikewomen
• NYX Cosmetics @nyxcosmetics
• Oscar de la Renta @oscardelarenta
• Ouai Hair @ouai
• Outdoor Voices @outdoorvoices
• Pra @pra
• Revolve @revolve
• Uniqlo @uniqlo
• Warby Parker @warbyparker
• Zara @zara

Instagram is allowing more brands to sell ir products over coming weeks.

This could very well be a first major step towards achieving Mark Zuckerberg’s forthcoming ‘Privacy vision’ and integration of Facebook’s whole suite of messaging apps including WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger. WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted. So, blending WhatsApp with services that lack end-to-encryption poses some obvious risks and challenges.

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If Facebook implements end-to-end encryption on Instagram which it has to in order to uphold users’ privacy, it will put certain restrictions on its targeted vertising business model. Allowing brands to sell products directly to customers on Instagram might be an ideal solution for Facebook to sustain its business model and ensure users’ privacy at same time.