Instagram announced a series of new safety features aimed at protecting users from sextortion scams, particularly targeting younger audiences.
The changes, revealed on Thursday, include a ban on screenshots and screen recordings of ephemeral images and videos sent via direct messages.
Previously, users could capture screenshots of content marked as “view once” or “allow replay,” but the sender would be notified. With the new update, recipients will no longer have the option to save these messages, and access to such content will be restricted on desktop platforms to prevent users from bypassing these safeguards. This move positions Instagram ahead of competitors like Snapchat, which still allows users to take screenshots of ephemeral content.
In addition to this feature, Instagram is enhancing its Teen Accounts, which automatically enroll young users in a safer environment. These accounts restrict messaging to users they already follow, while still allowing follow requests from others. To further protect teens, Instagram will block or filter suspicious accounts attempting to send follow requests, depending on their behavior.
The platform is also introducing safety alerts in DMs to inform teens if they are conversing with someone from another country, as many sextortion scammers misrepresent their location to gain trust. Additionally, accounts exhibiting scam-like behavior will be restricted from viewing users’ followers or likes.
Instagram is rolling out a global nudity protection feature that blurs images containing nudity in DMs, enabled by default for teen users. Those sending such content will receive warnings about potential risks.
