Instagram API issues affecting Rights Management

Update timeline

1. identified Aug 10, 2023, 09:00 AM UTC

   --- What is the issue? --- On some items, when the StoryStream platform receives Instagram post information from Instagram’s API, Meta are incorrectly not delivering permalinks (source URLs) that link you directly to the posts. When the item appears in the StoryStream platform, if you click the source button, you will be taken to the Instagram user’s profile page instead of directly to the post itself (as we’ve only received the Instagram user handle information for certain items). This is the case for all Instagram items (User, Mention, Tagged) other than a Hashtag Feed, where the source URL isn't provided. As a result, this is impacting StoryStream's ability to support rights management for some content items. --- Why has it happened? --- There is an open issue where Instagram’s Graph API for third-parties like StoryStream is incorrectly not delivering the URL of the post. Meta has an open support case for this and has confirmed it’s been assigned & currently under investigation. You can view the details below*. The issue is affecting other businesses that use the Instagram Graph API, and is not just isolated to StoryStream. --- How is StoryStream affected, and what are the workarounds? --- If you request rights for an item with a missing URL, the platform isn't able to automatically correlate any correct rights reply message to automatically make the item ‘rights approved’. Our rights management system is designed so that it marries up the item and the rights reply message via the URL. You can manually track the rights approval process, and add the rights approval message to the notes so you don’t miss out any items you’d like to use. Hashtag items are a challenge to keep track of currently, as it’s very difficult to find the posts directly without the Instagram user information. You’re able to manually search the hashtag on Instagram and find the post and keep track of any rights responses. The StoryStream platform will cache all the media of these posts so they will not expire and will be usable once Meta fixes the problem. To note, from a compliance perspective, the issue does not and will not mean the StoryStream platform will incorrectly mark content that is not rights approved as such. --- When do we expect it to be resolved? --- We don’t have a timeframe on the resolution currently and are waiting for updates from Meta. They have recorded the issue as a high priority and actively trying to resolve it. *https://developers.facebook.com/support/bugs/104362506072719/?join_id=fd11fd6042815c

2. identified Aug 16, 2023, 09:41 AM UTC

   We are continuing to work on a fix for this issue.

3. resolved Aug 16, 2023, 09:44 AM UTC

   Meta has fixed the issue with their API, and resolved their open support case. All new items coming into the platform have the relevant permalinks included as they were previously. Please do get in touch if you have any questions or need further information for this.