FURIOUS Instagram users have been left mortified after discovering the return of a sneaky feature.
This new update, which is already available in the US and now being rolled out globally, has left users fuming, but luckily there is a way to turn it off.
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New feature leaves Instagram users outraged
The new feature allows your friends to see video posts and reels that you have liked in a dedicated tab.
The tab allows your followers to see the content that you engage with from liked videos to comments left on reels.
However, the update has been dubbed “invasive” and “diabolical” by users who are far from impressed.
One angry user took to X writing: “They just ruined Instagram reels.”
Another instagramer added: “This is so invasive.
“I almost flipped out because that means they can see what I liked and commented on some posts that I wouldn’t want them to.”
Sharing these frustrations, one user simply wrote: “What is this madness?”
While another added: “REMOVE THIS FEATURE ASAP!!”
How the update works
At the moment, this new feature applies solely to Reels, whereby users can scroll through an infinite selection of short video clips.
When you tap on the Reels icon at the bottom of the app you will see two options at the top.
The first, ‘Reels’, shoes the clips as normal, however the second option, ‘Friends’, solely shows videos that your friends have liked.
Beyond just showing clips liked by your friends, it goes one step further and even tells you exactly who has engaged with the video.
A small profile photo will appear in the bottom left hand corner of the screen to indicate the user that has liked the clip.
What’s more, you can even tap on the profile picture and send a message in response to the liked video.
While this has left users feeling as if their privacy has been invaded, some are welcoming the update.
One wrote on X: “Nobody is nosier than me – I have been on the Instagram reels “friends” tab for like two hours now.”
How to opt out of the new feature
Thankfully, you don’t have to worry too much as there is a way that you can opt out of this update.
To do this, simply visit ‘Settings’ on the app, and scroll down to the subheading ‘Who can see your content.’
From here, tap on ‘Activity in Friends tab’ and then change the setting to ‘No one.’
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, announced likes appearing on Reels in a video post in January this year, but this new feature is only just rolling out globally, reports the MailOnline.
Mr Mosseri said: “We’re doing this because we want Instagram to be not just a lean-back experience but a participatory one, a social one, one where you actually explore your interests with your friends.”
The app has also announced that it will be introducing some other new features, including the option to repost reels and posts.
If there is a post that to you wish to endorse you can click the repost icon and it will appear in a new tab on your profile.
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