As explained by Instagram, a lot of users implement automated apps to grow followers, likes and even comments on the platform. These third-party apps work by following others and then unfollowing them to increase number of followers artificially. All these inauthentic acts violate the utmost policies for which Instagram aims to serve its vast audience. To curb these notorious activities, the Facebook-owned enterprise has vouched to remove fake followers, likes and even comments. In a blog post on Monday, the company stated: To identify and penalise these illicit accounts, the social media platform is utilising efficient tools such as machine learning. Additionally, Instagram has urged those who obtained inauthentic followers and likes from these third-party apps to change their passwords. This will help to revoke the third-party app’s access to the accounts. The deal is, for users to enjoy these scam benefits, they need to supply these third-party apps with their usernames and passwords. This is what the apps use in helping them gain an inauthentic audience to boost their popularity. Once the accounts have been identified, they’ll receive an in-app message (like the one below) asking them to change their Instagram passwords to shut off the third party’s access. On Facebook (head company) & Instagram’s part, they’re attempting to provide more security to Instagram, seeing that past security breaches on Facebook have questioned their security status. Instagram also acknowledges that some users will express deaf ears to this warning message. To these unrepentant users, the social media company may implement more severe penalties. This isn’t the first time social media platforms are taking out fake followers. In July, Twitter removed about 70 million followers to tackle a similar case. So, if you see popular Instagram profiles having a huge drop in followers, know that they were sanctioned for possessing fake followers.
