Meta’s Instagram has recently introduced new security measures to protect its users from sextortion scams, which have been on the rise in recent years. These scams involve scammers threatening to disclose intimate images of individuals if their demands, usually financial payments, are not met. In response to this growing issue, Instagram has implemented various features aimed at safeguarding its users.

One of the key measures introduced by Instagram is the hiding of follower and following lists to prevent potential sextortion scammers from identifying and targeting individuals. Additionally, the platform now has the capability to prevent screenshots of certain images in direct messages, thereby adding an extra layer of protection for users. Moreover, Instagram has rolled out its nudity protection feature globally to further enhance safety measures on the platform.

In collaboration with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and Thorn, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse of children, Instagram is working on an awareness campaign to educate teens on how to recognize the signs of a sextortion scam. With reports of online enticement incidents increasing by over 300% from 2021 to 2023, the need for such educational initiatives has become more pressing to protect vulnerable individuals from falling victim to such schemes.

Furthermore, Instagram has introduced Teen Accounts with built-in protections specifically designed for young adults. These accounts are set to be private by default, ensuring that only approved followers can view and interact with the content. Teens using these accounts will also have strict messaging settings in place, allowing them to receive messages only from individuals they follow or are already connected to.

To address concerns about excessive social media usage among teens, Instagram has incorporated features to limit the time spent on the platform. Teens will receive notifications prompting them to leave the app after 60 minutes each day, and a sleep mode will be activated between 10 pm and 7 am, muting notifications and sending auto-replies to direct messages. Additionally, teens under the age of 16 will require parental permission to modify any of the default protections within the Teen Accounts.

In response to criticisms about age verification loopholes, Instagram is implementing stricter measures to verify the age of teen users. This includes requiring teens to verify their age in multiple areas and developing technology to proactively identify accounts belonging to teenagers, regardless of the listed birthdate. These changes are expected to be implemented by 2025 in the US to enhance the platform’s ability to protect young users.

Overall, the introduction of these security measures and enhancements reflects Instagram’s commitment to prioritizing user safety, particularly in light of the growing threat of sextortion scams. By collaborating with key organizations and implementing innovative features, the platform aims to create a safer online environment for its users, especially vulnerable teens.

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