Instagram introduces new features to clamp down on fake accounts, trolls

Social media giant Instagram on August 28 announced introduction of three new features built to clamp down on fake accounts, trolls and misinformation.

The new features will make it easy for online users to know the identities of the holders of the platform’s most popular accounts.

In an age where there are all manner of fake accounts tailored to spread fake information, Instagram has moved to introduce three new features that will enable users to verify the identities of celebrities and public figures.

The three new features include, the “about this account”, the verification blue badge feature as well as a third option where subscribers will be able to use third-party authenticator apps top log in to their accounts.

About this account

The about this account feature will enable followers to know when the account was started, country of origin, other accounts with shared followers, change in usernames within a period of one year and ads that the account is running.

Verification feature

More public figures will from now now on be able to verify their accounts by applying for the blue badge. It will however not be easy because they will be required to provide Instagram with their user name, full name, and a copy of a legal or business ID.

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Third party authenticator apps

The popular social media platform is also adding the option to use third-party authenticator apps, such as Google Authenticator to enable users to log in safely to their accounts.

Previously third party authenticating apps posed a serious security challenge for users.

Facebook and Twitter have in the past few months purged fake accounts and the latest development proves that Instagram is keen to avoid encountering challenges faced by the two popular platforms.

“Keeping people with bad intentions off our platform is incredibly important to me,” CNN quoted Mike Krieger,  the co-founder and chief technology officer of Instagram.

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In July, Kenya’s prominent users were not spared as twitter moved to delete fake accounts.

By deleting the accounts, twitter wanted to build trust and encourage “healthy conversations” on its platform.

President Uhuru Kenyatta lost over 16,000 followers while Deputy President William Ruto lost 7,000 followers in the first two days of the purge.

Social media influencers Cyprian Nyakundi and Christian Dela lost close to 1 million followers combined.