Story perspectives

Meta's New Instagram Feature Shields Iranian Users Amid Repression

1/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Meta has introduced a privacy feature on Instagram for Iranian users, restricting follower and following lists.
The change aims to protect people amid state repression, where officials have been extracting user data to identify protesters.
The update prevents officials from tracking social connections, potentially reducing arrests and intimidation.
Rights groups report nearly 4,500 deaths linked to uprisings, with concerns that the actual toll may be higher.

1 of 1

Story summary

Meta has introduced a privacy feature on Instagram for Iranian users, restricting follower and following lists.
The change aims to protect people amid state repression, where officials have been extracting user data to identify protesters.
The update prevents officials from tracking social connections, potentially reducing arrests and intimidation.
Rights groups report nearly 4,500 deaths linked to uprisings, with concerns that the actual toll may be higher.