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Instagram Explores 'Read-Only' Mode for Stealth Browsing
6 Oct
Summary
- Instagram is exploring a 'read-only mode' for stealthy browsing.
- This mode would prevent likes, comments, messages, and story views.
- Instagram stated the feature is an internal exploration, not public testing.
Instagram is internally exploring a "read-only mode" that could allow users to browse the platform anonymously. This feature, if implemented, would prevent users from performing actions such as liking posts, commenting, sending messages, or viewing stories. The discovery was made by reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi, who shared screenshots of the potential functionality.
This "read-only mode" appears to be conceptualized for Instagram Plus accounts, offering a way to navigate the social network without creating a visible activity log. Instagram has stated that this is strictly an internal exploration and is not undergoing any external testing.
The potential for this feature to be used for stalking or other privacy-invasive behaviors has been noted. Instagram's team will need to address these safety concerns thoroughly, should they decide to proceed with external tests or a public launch.
