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Recently, many Instagram users were taken aback when an influx of disturbing Reels began populating their feeds. Meta has recognized this problem and stated that a fix has been implemented, though they haven’t provided any details on what initially caused the issue.
Disturbing Content Floods Instagram Feeds
Countless individuals spend hours scrolling through short videos on platforms like Instagram Reels. The last thing anyone expects is a barrage of unsettling content to invade their feeds, irrespective of their previous viewing habits or content preferences.
Over the past few days, numerous Instagram users have reported encountering graphic Reels featuring violence, sexual content, and other unsettling material that breeches their Sensitive Content Control settings.
While Meta has acknowledged the situation and asserted that it has been resolved, some users claim they are still seeing inappropriate content. Meta informed CNBC that it was merely a “mistake,” offering no further explanation for the error.
Worryingly, this wasn’t just any sensitive material; it included graphic violence and sexual content that violates Meta’s Community Standards.
Some speculate that this could be a result of the moderation team being overwhelmed or possibly inactive, although there’s no evidence backing this theory. It’s worth noting that Meta has recently reduced moderation efforts, but that shouldn’t have resulted in such inappropriate content appearing on their platforms.
If you want to limit sensitive content on Instagram, navigate to your profile and click on your profile picture in the bottom-right corner. Then, tap the three lines at the top-right, select Content Preferences, go to Sensitive Content, and select Less.
Keep in mind that this may not completely shield you from disturbing content if the issue arises again, but it could help mitigate your exposure. Ultimately, all you can do is adjust your settings and hope Instagram addresses the problem effectively.
Instagram Considers Launching Reels as a Standalone App
This troubling incident comes at a peculiar time for Instagram, which is reportedly planning to develop Reels into its dedicated app. According to a report from The Information, Adam Mosseri has been discussing this project with his team.
This move seems logical, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding TikTok’s position in the United States. Instagram has already announced a CapCut alternative named Edits, with CapCut being associated with the same parent company as TikTok. Thus, creating a standalone TikTok competitor would be a strategic next step.
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