Instagram takes one big step to prevent users from falling for scams related to adult content

Meta has added a new nudity protection feature to Instagram to protect teens from consuming harmful content and becoming a victim of scams. Check details.

Know about Instagram’s new nudity protection feature. (Instagram)

Over the past few years, the Meta platform was bashed by many concerned parents about child safety. Now, to take action and protect its teenage user base, Meta is testing a nudity protection feature for Instagram's messages which detects and blurs the nude images which are being shared by other users. This feature will keep users safe from potential scams and harmful content which appears on Instagram. This move came after serious pressure from the US and European governments. Know more about how the nudity protection feature on Instagram will work. 

Instagram nudity protection feature for DMs

Meta is backing teens from sextortion and intimate image abuse by introducing new features to Instagram. Sextortion is a new emerging scam which involves sexual blackmail, threats, sharing adult images and others. According to the Meta blog, the upcoming feature will make it challenging for scammers and criminals to interact with and manipulate teen users. Additionally, the company is also working on new measures to support youngsters in recognising scammers and how they can protect themselves. Currently, Instagram is testing nudity protection in DMs which will strictly blur the image if detected containing nude content. This feature uses on-device machine learning to detect and analyse images sent in a DM on Instagram. 

Meta highlighted that once this feature is fully ready, it will be turned on by default for users under the age of 18. For adults, a notification will pop up which will encourage users to use the feature for their safety and protection. Meta said, “Because the images are analysed on the device itself, nudity protection will also work in end-to-end encrypted chats, where Meta won't have access to these images – unless someone chooses to report them to us.” This tool is expected to roll out in the coming week, making Meta platforms a safer space for teens. Meta will also provide users with tips and support such as Meta's Safety Center, support helplines, StopNCII.org for users over 18, and “Take It Down” for users under 18.

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