Instagram will automatically blur out sexually explicit photos for minors

Meta recently unveiled a series of new measures on Instagram aimed at strengthening the protection of young people from blackmail related to intimate photos, a growing concern when it comes to the safety of minors online. One of these key measures is the introduction of “nudity checks” on Instagram.

This device will be activated by default on accounts of minor users. Its main role will be to automatically detect images containing nudity that are sent through the app’s messaging and blur them before the recipient sees them. This initiative aims to prevent the use and blackmail of intimate photos, providing an additional layer of protection for young users of the platform.

“In this way, the recipient is not exposed to unwanted exposure to intimate content and has the choice whether to see the image or not,” Capucin Touffier, in charge of child protection at Meta France, explains to AFP.

Along with introducing “nudity checks” to Instagram, Meta also plans to send out awareness messages about blackmail using sexy photos, also known as “sextortion.” These messages will be addressed to both the sender and recipient of the images to raise awareness of the dangers associated with sharing sensitive content online. Indeed, these messages will remind users that intimate photos can be captured via screenshots and potentially shared by attackers.

The initiative aims to educate users about the risks of disclosing sensitive content and encourage safer online behavior, especially among younger users who may be more vulnerable to this type of exploitation.

In addition, Meta announced that when artificial intelligence tools identify an account as potentially involved in blackmail via sexual photos, its interaction with underage users will be significantly limited. This measure aims to proactively protect young users by reducing their exposure to accounts that may pose a threat to their online safety.

Thus, a potential criminal account will not be able to send private messages to a minor’s account, will not have access to the full list of its subscribers (minor accounts are hidden), and minors’ accounts will no longer appear in searches. bar, Capucine Tuffier details.

Meta will go even further by directly warning the young user if they come into contact with a potential blackmailer. In this case, the minor will be immediately redirected to a special website called Stop Sextortion, where they can find resources and tips on how to cope with the situation. In addition, Meta will provide a crisis line to young users in partnership with specialized associations, thereby offering direct and professional support in the fight against this form of online exploitation.

These preventive and support measures will initially be tested in several countries in Central and Latin America in May, before being rolled out globally in the coming months. This gradual rollout will allow Meta to evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives and adapt its strategies based on feedback to better protect the user community, especially the most vulnerable.