Instagram Starts Censoring Users, Blurs Pictures

It was inevitable. With so many people posting sensitive and even disturbing images on Instagram, it was only a matter of time before the popular social media platform started censoring users. Now, whenever Instagram deems images as sensitive based on their own criteria, the image will be blurred. This is meant to spare other users from having to see those pictures by accident and ruin their day.

The new system works by basically relying on other users to flag certain images as sensitive, which will then be reviewed by the social media network’s internal team, PC Mag reports. Once Instagram confirms that the image does meet the criteria of being classified as sensitive, it will then be blurred for anyone who simply comes across it.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that the images will never be seen. For those who really want to see the pictures, all they have to do is click on it. Removal is only reserved for those images that go against Instagram’s policies such as explicitly nude photos and pornographic material.

So, which images can potentially be classified as sensitive? Some of the themes included could be photos posted by animal rights groups, effects of war or pestilence in certain regions, or just borderline gross medical procedures. In the blog post announcing the changes, Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom notes how this completely changes the experience that users have with the platform.

“While these posts don’t violate our guidelines, someone in the community has reported them and our review team has confirmed they are sensitive,” the post reads, referring the blurred photos. “This change means you are less likely to have surprising or unwanted experiences in the app.”

In addition to the blurred images, Instagram is also opening up the two-factor authentication system to everyone. This will bump up the security of the social media app significantly.