Instagram is reportedly bowing to popular pressure, and will soon allow users to download their content directly.

According to Tech Crunch, Instagram is working on a data portability tool that will let you download a complete inventory of your Instagram photos, messages, and videos. It remains unclear whether followers, lists, comments, Likes and Stories will be in the mix.

 

The feature has long been requested by users, while controlling your content has always been a dicey prospect on Instagram.

 

Unlike Facebook, which launched a download tool in 2010, you can’t save images or videos once they’re posted on Instagram.

However Instagram’s motives may be less than altruistic. The move brings Instagram into line with new European privacy laws. It might also help offset much of the bad PR Facebook is facing since the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

 

The flip side is that having all your data in one pack makes it easier for users to migrate to rival social networks.