Instagram Unveils Features to Combat Sextortion

In a major update focused on safety, Instagram is rolling out a suite of new features and expanding industry collaboration to combat the growing threat of sextortion scams.

Sextortion, the act of coercing someone into sharing nude images or videos by threatening to share them publicly, is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences for victims. Recognizing the dangers, Instagram has been working closely with experts, including those on the frontlines fighting these crimes, to understand the tactics scammers use.

A key feature in this update is Nudity Protection in DMs, currently in the testing phase. This feature aims to shield users from unwanted exposure to explicit content while also discouraging them from sending such images in the first place.

Nudity Protection will automatically blur images detected as containing nudity in Instagram DMs. This not only protects users from being surprised by unsolicited explicit content but also serves as a prompt to consider the potential consequences of sending such images.

For those considering sending nude photos, Instagram will display a message reminding them to be cautious and offering the option to unsend the photo if they have second thoughts. Even when receiving a nude image, the recipient will see a blurred version with a warning screen. They can then choose to view the image or not, and will be presented with resources and safety tips.

These resources, developed in collaboration with experts, cover the risks associated with sharing intimate images online, such as the possibility of screenshots or leaks, and the importance of carefully reviewing profiles before trusting someone online. Links to additional support services, including Meta’s Safety Center, helplines, and reporting platforms like StopNCII.org and Take It Down, will also be provided.

Instagram is taking additional steps to prevent potential scammers from interacting with teens on the platform. These measures build on existing safeguards, such as stricter messaging defaults for teens under 16 (or 18 in some regions) that limit who can message them.

Going forward, any message requests from accounts suspected of engaging in sextortion will be sent directly to a hidden requests folder, ensuring teens are not notified and never have to see the message. For teens already in contact with potential scammers, Instagram will display Safety Notices encouraging them to report threats and reminding them of their right to refuse anything that makes them uncomfortable.

Furthermore, Instagram is testing features to make teen profiles even less visible to suspicious accounts. This includes hiding the “Message” button for teens from these accounts, even if they are already connected. Additionally, teens may be hidden from these accounts in follower lists and search results.

Instagram is testing a new pop-up notification system that will appear for users who may have interacted with an account removed for sextortion. This message will direct them to valuable resources, including Instagram’s Stop Sextortion Hub, support helplines, options to reach out to a trusted friend, and reporting platforms like StopNCII.org and Take It Down.

The update also expands the availability of child safety helplines within the in-app reporting flow. Now, when teens report issues related to nudity, threats to share private images, or sexual exploitation, Instagram will connect them with local child safety helplines if available.

Recognizing that sextortion scams can occur across multiple platforms, Instagram is taking a collaborative approach. In November 2023, Instagram became a founding member of Lantern, a program run by the Tech Coalition that facilitates the sharing of information about accounts and behaviors that violate child safety policies between tech companies.

By sharing sextortion-specific signals through Lantern, Instagram hopes to disrupt these scams not just on their own platform but across the entire internet.

This comprehensive update from Instagram demonstrates their commitment to creating a safer online environment for all users, with a particular focus on protecting young people from the dangers of sextortion.