Instagram has announced their upcoming efforts to protect users from abusive Direct Messages (DMs) by automatically filtering offensive words. Instagram will also be developing a mechanism to halt blocked accounts from contacting users on their other accounts.
We're announcing new tools to help prevent abuse on Instagram. Soon you'll be able to filter offensive DMs into a hidden folder so you never have to see them, and we're making it harder for someone you've blocked to contact you again from a new account. https://t.co/LfPE6Gdw4v
— Instagram Comms (@InstagramComms) April 21, 2021
Instagram revealed their new partnerships with anti-discrimination and anti-bullying organizations – which will help them filter out message requests that contain offensive and discriminatory words. Users will also be provided a filter toggle option: if turned on, the feature will automatically sort abusive messages into a separate folder:
“We’ve worked with leading anti-discrimination and anti-bullying organizations to develop a predefined list of offensive terms that will be filtered from DM requests when the feature is turned on. All DM requests that contain these offensive words, phrases, or emojis will be automatically filtered into a separate hidden requests folder.”
The hidden requests folder will only be viewable if the user taps it. Once accessed, the user can choose whether they want to report, delete or accept a message request. Instagram users can also create their own customised list of offensive words, phrases, and emojis that they wish to eliminate from DMs.
Additionally, Instagram is launching a new account feature that will stop blocked user accounts from reaching out to users from other accounts. This will help Instagram users stay protected online from spam, or troll accounts.
The two new features will be released across multiple countries in the coming weeks.