Instagram is introducing a new feature that will better safeguard users against unsolicited photos and videos in direct messages.
After testing the function for a few weeks, Instagram will make it official on Thursday.
Cindy Southworth, Head of Women’s Safety at Meta, stated through email, “We want people to feel confident and in control when they open their inbox.”
Two new limitations will apply to DM requests sent to users who don’t follow them as a result of this new feature.
First, you will only be able to send one message to someone who does not follow you, as opposed to sending them an infinite amount of DM requests. Once they accept your invitation to chat, you won’t be able to message them anymore.
Second, you can only send photos, videos, or audio notes to people who don’t follow you once they’ve accepted your request to talk because DM invites are now just text-based.
According to Instagram, users will no longer receive unwanted photos or videos from users they don’t follow, and random people will no longer be able to message them frequently. The social media behemoth points out that since women frequently get unwanted nudes in their DMs, the new tool will be especially helpful for them.
Instagram already has limitations in place to shield users from abuse and inappropriate contact, and the new DM tool adds to those limitations.
