By now,Lee Do you've probably heard about that ridiculous, nearly decade-old privacy hoax that went viral on Instagram thanks to a bunch of clueless celebrities.
And while it's easy to laugh at, it has some pretty serious implications for the company's billion plus users.
That the hoax, which has been repeatedly debunked over the years, was able to spread like virtual wildfire across Instagram is concerning to say the least. It shows just how easily conspiracy theories and propaganda can spread, with Instagram doing little to stop it. The hoax incorrectly warns of a change in Instagram's privacy policy and encourages users to copy and paste a sloppy statement in order to block the Facebook-owned company from using their photos, messages, and other information.
While there's plenty to criticize about Facebook's misinformation-fighting, the company will at least debunk conspiracy theories and attempt to push them out of sight in its News Feed. The process has been criticized for moving too slowly at times, but there are signs it's been effective at reducing the spread of fake news.
Instagram, on the other hand, has only just begun to work with third-party fact checkers. Moreover, when a post is debunked by fact checkers, Instagram will only remove it from public-facing areas of the app, like Explore and hashtag pages. The same posts can still be freely shared in users' feeds and Stories, and Instagram will make no attempt to make them less visible.
And, as we've learned, all it takes is a handful of ignorant celebs for a baseless conspiracy theory to spread to millions in just a few hours. In this case, the conspiracy theory was relatively benign, but that might not always be the case.
If nothing else, this Instagram hoax proves that the platform is particularly susceptible to conspiracy theories, and that the company will do little to stop blatantly wrong information from going viral. Whether it's "inappropriate content" or anti-vaccination conspiracy theories, the company has repeatedly shown that it will only address misinformation in public sections of the app, not in users' feeds.
The ironic twist here is that Instagram is likely reluctant to mess with feed posts at least in part because of a whole otherconspiracy theory: shadow banning, the idea that some cabal of Instagram employees decides to reduce the visibility of some accounts for real or perceived infractions. Instagram has repeatedly denied that it does this.
But fears of further angering Instagram influencers is a poor excuse for failing to act. Facebook buries fake news and conspiracy theories in News Feed, so why won't Instagram do the same?
Topics Facebook Instagram Social Media
7 Tech Predictions for 2018
Vivo launches robotics lab, focuses on AI and vision for home robots · TechNode
After hardware team layoffs, Thin Red Line resumes hiring for AI roles · TechNode
TSMC to begin production of next
Small Man in a Memory Hole
After hardware team layoffs, Thin Red Line resumes hiring for AI roles · TechNode
Alibaba launches and open
NVIDIA hit with $5.5 billion blow as US tightens chip export rules to China · TechNode
No Left Turns
Apple's China smartphone shipments fall 9% y
The Whimper of Democracy
NVIDIA acquires Chinese GPU cloud startup Lepton AI: report · TechNode
Alibaba’s 1688 to eliminate “refund only” policy · TechNode
In rare move, BMW and China’s Huawei sign deal for in
Momentive’s Hundred Days
Zeekr debuts first hybrid SUV to compete with Rolls
Tongji University purchases 10 Unitree humanoid robots for student training · TechNode
Chinese ride
Trump’s Family Leave Shell Game
Chinese boba tea chain Chagee files for US IPO, reports rapid expansion · TechNode
Great Wall MotorGPT’s 'Sky' voice: Scarlett Johansson drops a bombshellMusk: SpaceX's Starlink internet service will work in highMicrosoft’s new ‘Team Copilot’ is awfully similar to Google’s ‘AI Teammate’Atalanta vs. Bayer Leverkusen 2024 livestream: Watch Europa League Final for freeMicrosoft’s new ‘Team Copilot’ is awfully similar to Google’s ‘AI Teammate’25 wildlife photos that show nature at its most beautiful, weird, and brutalChinese automakers Wuling, Changan offer holiday discounts to boost EV demand · TechNodeBest Amazon deal: Score the Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex headset for $138 offMeta, Match Group, and more announce new antiBest Amazon deal: Score the Jabra Evolve2 65 Flex headset for $138 offMusk: SpaceX's Starlink internet service will work in highChina Eastern Airlines' C919 aircraft debuts at Singapore Airshow · TechNodeNetEase to release martial arts title “The Legend of the Condor Heroes” in March · TechNodeEthereum heats up over key ETF decision. Here's what you need to know.Beijing calls for “prudent” practice in EU antiMeizu shifts to AI, ceases traditional smartphone development · TechNodeChina’s JD shows interest in acquiring UK electronics retailer Currys · TechNodeMicrosoft unveils Copilot Agents, an AI business assistantTrip.com’s Q4 revenue doubles, CEO announces discontinuation of 2019 as a benchmark · TechNode Now you can buy a car at your local Walmart Justin Trudeau gets a serious grilling from Hasan Minhaj in tough Netflix interview Yale wants to smartify Europe's locks with one simple gadget Viral bookshop sign perfectly captures the beauty of British humour in a crisis Press secretary Sean Spicer had some real problems with 'Daft Funk' back in 2014 Kristen Stewart is pretty weirded out about that time Donald Trump tweeted about her Frustrated kid politely lets everyone know how he really feels YouTube Kids' parental controls are easily bypassed This Redditor's bizarre story about England is trolling at its very finest Review: 'Blair Witch' video game is an aimless missed opportunity How to help the communities affected by Hurricane Dorian J.K. Rowling fights back as Donald Trump reinstates anti This app will tell you when a pregnant woman needs a subway seat As Hurricane Dorian approaches, scooters are removed from the streets HBO's Los Espookys is the best comedy you may have missed this summer 'Hollyweed' guy strikes again with a massive anti Man fights off Twitter scammer by vowing to marry her in a 'Hindu mosque' 'Stadium effect' in eye of Hurricane Dorian shows the storm's strength Nashville school bans 'Harry Potter' books in *checks notes* 2019 Facebook updates its controversial facial recognition settings
1.6691s , 8222.765625 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【Lee Do】,Co-creation Information Network