Instagram Is Toying With A Read
Instagram is internally exploring a 'read-only' mode that would allow users to browse profiles without leaving a digital footprint. While the company states it is not currently testing the feature externally, critics have raised concerns about potential misuse for stalking.
Why it matters
This highlights the ongoing tension between user privacy features and the potential for social media platforms to facilitate harmful or predatory behavior.
Below the Sky/Shutterstock Add Engadget on Google: Preferred Source Google Discover Instagram is internally developing a possible new feature that seems tailor-made to allow for nefarious behavior. Leaker and reverse engineer Alessando Paluzzi posted on X with the discovery of an Instagram feature billed as "read-only mode." According to the uncovered screenshots, this option allows for a session where "you can't like, comment, message, follow or view stories" on the social network, which would allow a user to browse the platform without leaving any type of paper trail about what they were viewing. It appears to be a concept for Instagram Plus accounts from the images shared.
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