Instagram boasts over 2 billion monthly users who have shared over 100 billion photos. With an audience of this size comes risks from hackers, online harassers, and advertisers seeking user data.
This guide will walk you through exactly how to modify privacy settings on Instagram to lock down your account. We‘ll cover:
- Why Instagram privacy matters
- How to access key privacy menus
- Account, interactions, connections, and stories settings
- Expert privacy best practices
- Instagram‘s privacy compared to Facebook, Twitter and others
- Recent controversies involving Instagram and parent company Meta
- Summary of actions to take to achieve privacy
Follow along for comprehensive, up-to-date instructions tailored to everyday users.
Why You Should Care About Instagram Privacy
Most people fail to configure Instagram‘s privacy tools. However, data indicate young generations do value social media safety:
- 81% of teens say they worry about companies accessing their data
- Over 50% of Instagram users express concern over privacy violations
Leaving an account public has genuine risks beyond data collection:
- Stranger Danger: Anyone including bad actors can follow and direct message you
- Reputation Hazards: Inappropriate tagging/posts could negatively impact work/school
- Hacking Opportunities: Public info increases vulnerabilities like SIM hacking
Cyber experts largely urge private accounts for individuals. Adjusting other settings prevents unwanted interactions.
Accessing Instagram‘s Privacy Settings
Instagram stores all privacy controls under one convenient Privacy menu:
- Tap profile pic (bottom right)
- Select the 3-line menu icon (top right)
- Scroll down to Settings
- Choose Privacy to reveal options
Now let‘s explore what each setting does.
Key Account Privacy Settings
The first section governs overall account visibility:
The simple Private Account switch restricts your entire profile. Specific settings include:
Private Account
- Profile hidden from unapproved followers
- Must manually approve each new follower request
- Recommended for personal accounts by security experts
Public Account
- Entire profile viewable to anyone logged into Instagram
- Higher risks of harassment, hacking, and reputation issues
- Usually preferred only for creators, influencers and public figures
We‘ll cover more granular content privacy controls next.
Detailed Interactions Privacy Settings
The Interactions menu provides robust preferences limiting various engagements:
Available restrictions:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Comments | Disable commenting or limit to followers only |
| Tagging | Approve any tags from non-followers before they appear |
| Messaging | Choose who can message your account directly |
| Activity Status | Show when you‘re active or disable visibility |
You have full flexibility. For example, permit open commenting but restrict messaging to followers. Customize based on your tolerance thresholds.
Follower Connections Options
Connections tools assist managing existing followers:
Actions here include:
- Restrict/block/mute troublesome accounts
- Remove current followers
- Browse suggested accounts to follow
Muting is great for avoiding someone spamming you privately. Restrict if you don‘t want to fully block another user quite yet.
Advanced Story Settings
Dial in story and live stream privacy as well:
Choices to hidden stories from followers and utilize Close Friends limited lists for viewing stories. This is ideal for more personal, temporary content you still wish to share.
Following Expert Recommendations
Optimizing Instagram privacy depends on your personal threat model. But professionals often suggest:
- Keep personal profiles private
- Limit tagging/messaging to known contacts
- Review tagged photos of you
- Disable activity status and location tagging
- Block suspicious follower accounts
Regularly check new privacy options too as Instagram adds capabilities frequently.
How Instagram Compares to Other Platforms
Instagram provides robust privacy controls on par with Facebook:
More Flexible vs Twitter: Twitter has more open norms with limited options around visibility. Instagram generally enables tighter security overall.
Wider Reach Than Snapchat: Snapchat focuses privacy on disappearing messages. But Instagram permits restricted stories while still allowing broader audience when desired.
No platform handles privacy perfectly. But Instagram provides tools comparable to most social networks.
Concerns Around Data Practices
Despite available privacy controls, parent company Meta (formerly Facebook) still monetizes user data without total consent:
- Meta allegedly uses Instagram data to improve ad targeting capabilities
- Location tracking worries privacy advocates
- Teen safety issues on Instagram point to mental health consequences
These incentives behind heavy data collection unlikely to change given Meta‘s ad-based business model. So leveraging current Instagram tools remains necessary.
""We have to realize that Instagram has reasons to keep us glued to our feeds," says researcher Anne Collier. "Protecting privacy is crucial even as the platform evolves."
What You Can Do to Lock Down Your Account
While risks persist, the following checklist will maximize Instagram profile security:
1. Switch to a private account
2. Limit tagging and story resharing
3. Remove unwanted existing followers
4. Block or restrict harassing accounts
5. Disable activity status and location tagging
6. Review other new privacy options frequently
No solution is perfect. But consciously managing privacy settings based on your comfort levels reduces unintended oversharing and security hazards.
Protect online privacy by taking charge of Instagram‘s tools today. But remain realistic regarding ongoing criticisms of parent company Meta‘s data policies.
