Twitter and Instagram in stand-off over picture display issues

Tensions between Twitter and Instagram, the photo-enhancing social network site, have increased with a new stand-off (PA)

Tensions between Twitter and Instagram, the photo-enhancing social network site, have increased with a new stand-off.

Instagram, owned by Facebook, has restricted the way its pictures, known as 'cards', are displayed on the microblogging service.

Instagram, which has rocketed in popularity since Facebook bought it in April, altered the feature meaning pictures appear on Twitter badly cropped or deleted.

The relationship between the two has soured since Facebook bought Instagram for a billion US dollars (£620 million).

Instagram chief executive Kevin Systom said the site would remain integrated with Twitter but users would be directed to "where the content lives originally".

He told the Metro: "We want that to be Instagram.com because that is a better user experience."

He added: "This decision is definitely coming from me. This is not a case of Facebook putting some sort of policy on Instagram. And this isn't a case of us getting acquired."

The move appeared to be a tit-for-tat retaliation after Twitter disabled the "find my Twitter friends" feature on Instagram in the summer.

Instagram's fame came with its photograph framing service in which a range of filters can be used to improve an image.

Twitter is said to be working on its own photo application which is likely to provide a similar service.

Twitter warned users they could experience "issues" viewing Instagram pictures.

PA