Yahoo Finance Instagram tests a way to remove creepy followers without them knowing
Instagram is testing a new feature to remove creepy followers discreetly.
To remove someone, an account holder needs to open their follower list and tap on the vertical dots next to the Instagram handle of the person they want to remove. That person will not be told they have been cut.
The “remove” feature is already available for those with a private account, however those with public accounts have only had the option to “block” followers in the past. This becomes apparent to an undesirable when they are unable to see basic information such as a username and a profile picture.
Making the function available to those with public accounts is a relief for Instagram users hoping to stop an ex-partner, colleague or family member from keeping tabs - without causing offence.
Unlike blocked accounts, those who have been removed will still be able to browse a user's public posts.
An Instagram spokesman confirmed tests were underway but did not give any details on when the feature would be available on all phones. Chatter on Twitter suggested that it was only available on Android phones for now.
Instagram now lets you manually remove followers!?!
h/t @blueasyraffpic.twitter.com/McIXETlR7I— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) July 17, 2018
This is not the first time Instagram has adapted its app to navigate an embarrassing social faux pas. Last year it introduced a mute function, which allowed someone to continue following an account without seeing their posts and without that person knowing.
The photo-sharing app has likely become the source of several awkward conversations around the water cooler this week after it emerged that a brand new - and seemingly anonymous - question and answer feature was not as advertised.
Several users took to Twitter to complain that they had mistakenly sent mean questions without realising that person would be able to see who had sent them.
