Why Instagrams shady new privacy settings could help users cheat

Why Instagram’s ‘shady’ new privacy settings could help users cheat on their partners without getting caught: ‘This app doesn’t care about you’

Why Instagram’s ‘shady’ new privacy settings could help users cheat on their partners without getting caught: ‘This app doesn’t care about you’

Instagram has been criticized for testing a new update that could help users cheat on their partners.

This week, the Meta-owned app began testing an option to let users hide who can see what they “like.”

The update was shared with a small group, including British social media expert Matt Navarra, who uploaded a screenshot to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday showing Instagram announcing its new change.

Navarra wrote: “Instagram is testing the ability to HIDE your Like activity. You can choose which audience can see your likes on posts and reels, e.g. For example, “everyone,” “only people you follow,” “only close friends,” or “no one.”

Australian radio presenter Jackie “O” Henderson, 48, has since harshly criticized the update, calling it “dodgy”. [f**k]’ on Tuesday during a segment on The Kyle And Jackie O Show.

Instagram has been criticized for testing a new update that could help users cheat on their partners.  This week, the Meta-owned app began testing an option that allows users to hide who can see what they “like.”  (archive image)

Instagram has been criticized for testing a new update that could help users cheat on their partners. This week, the Meta-owned app began testing an option that allows users to hide who can see what they “like.” (archive image)

Henderson pointed out that if someone “likes” another person’s post, it could be evidence that they are speaking to that person privately.

“Let’s say your boyfriend really wants to slide into a girl’s DM.” [direct messages]. There’s evidence there, you know, like a little evidence. “There’s a lead,” she said.

She pointed out that hiding this information could help users keep their online flirtations secret.

This week, the Meta-owned app began testing an option that allows users to hide who can see what they “like.”  The update was made available to a small group of users, including British social media expert Matt Navarra, who uploaded a screenshot to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday showing Instagram announcing its new change

This week, the Meta-owned app began testing an option that allows users to hide who can see what they “like.” The update was made available to a small group of users, including British social media expert Matt Navarra, who uploaded a screenshot to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday showing Instagram announcing its new change

Australian radio queen Jackie 'O' Henderson, 48, (pictured) has since criticized the update, calling it 'dodgy' [f**k]' on Tuesday during a segment on The Kyle And Jackie O Show

Australian radio queen Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, 48, (pictured) has since criticized the update, calling it ‘dodgy’ [f**k]’ on Tuesday during a segment on The Kyle And Jackie O Show

“You can start liking bikini models you want to target, you can comment on how hot they are, [and] “No one but the bikini model you’re targeting will see it,” she lamented.

“I’m trying to imagine that this wasn’t made up for some other reason, just to be shady,” she added.

Henderson’s co-host Kyle Sandilands, 52, had similar thoughts, telling her: “I think you’re right.” “There’s no other purpose unless a man is trying to avoid being separated from his wife.”

Sandilands later accused Instagram of being driven by a desire to increase user engagement rather than thinking about the consequences.

“That’s what’s right at the end of the day. ‘They don’t really care about you.’

Henderson pointed out that if someone Henderson's co-host Kyle Sandilands, 52, (pictured) had similar thoughts, telling her:

Henderson (left) pointed out that if someone likes someone else’s post, it could be evidence that they are speaking to that person privately. Her co-host Kyle Sandilands, 52, (right) had similar thoughts, telling her: “I think you’re right.” There is no other purpose unless a man is trying to avoid being separated from his wife.