To improve users’ safety Instagram, the social media company has imposed restrictions on Message requests in Instagram DMs. Now, users will only receive text message requests from accounts they do not follow in their Instagram DMs once.
These changes are designed to prevent online harassment and getting unsolicited nudes or explicit photos and videos from strangers.
Instagram DM allows users to send only one text invitation to new connections
In September 2022, it was reported that Instagram was working on a new “Nudity protection” feature to block nude photos in DMs and end cyberflashing which is sending unsolicited sexual messages to strangers online like nude pictures or genitals. Cyberflashing is regarded as face-to-face sexual abuse because it impacts a person psychologically and emotionally.
After testing the new feature in June this year, Instagram has finally rolled out new Message control changes on the app for users who have enabled “Message Requests” for new accounts or accounts they do not follow.
- When making a new connection, users can only send a text invitation once. Once the invitation is accepted, users will be able to send more messages to the new connection.
- If a user does not follow a new connection even after accepting their Instagram DM request, the communication will be limited to text messages only and they will not be able to exchange photos, vidoes, or voice notes.
The company hopes to minimize incidents of spam with unwanted DM requests and harassment by sending nude photos, explicit videos, and voice notes to users, especially women, and young boys and girls. In an email, Cindy Southworth, head of Women’s Safety at Meta said:
“We want people to feel confident and in control when they open their inbox. That’s why we’re testing new features that mean people can’t receive images, videos or multiple messages from someone they don’t follow, until they’ve accepted the request to chat. We’re grateful for the feedback we hear from our community — and we’ll keep listening to find ways to help everyone feel safer on Instagram.”
Previously, users could Message requests to users or any type of photo, video, or voice note in Instagram DMs.
However, it must be kept in mind that users who have not enabled the “Message Request” privacy feature will continue to receive an unlimited number of Message invitations including photos and vidoes.
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