Instagram users have warned each other about a new feature that may inadvertently expose private secrets. The recent update allows individuals to see who is on someone’s "Close Friends" list on Instagram. Until now, this information was kept confidential, as knowing who someone considers a close friend could lead to repercussions or other issues.
The Close Friends tool on Instagram lets users select certain friends they trust more and add them to the list. Users can then share stories only with those friends, and they are restricted from anyone else. However, in a new update being rolled out this week, Instagram now allows users to also share posts exclusively with their close friends.
This could be problematic, as posts include likes and comments, meaning anyone on the Close Friends list can see who else is in that list. Instagram stated in their announcement, "We hope this opens up more ways to be authentic on Instagram while giving you more options about who can see your content."
However, it has led to numerous warnings from TikTok users and others that users should be aware they might inadvertently compromise their privacy when posting such content and that they may make their Close Friends list more public. The new update can be used by sharing a post as usual, then clicking on the "public" button and selecting "Close Friends."
