Teens targeted in sex blackmail scams Instagram keeps watch_2

Recently, Instagram has introduced new settings aimed at combating fraud and preventing teenagers from falling victim to sextortion schemes. The company encourages parents to be vigilant in this regard.

Meta, Instagram’s parent company, has remarked that crimes involving the use of sexual images, videos, or conversations to coerce victims for money are becoming increasingly prevalent. Some criminal groups are even colluding to pressure teenagers into sharing nude photos of themselves or their friends.

To counteract sextortion groups, Meta has rolled out a series of updates. For instance, the list of “followers” for teenage users will automatically eliminate potential extortionists, making it harder for criminals to connect with teens on Instagram. Additionally, these young users will have access to more resources to recognize signs that they may be falling into a sextortion trap.

Teenagers in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia will see instructional videos in their accounts that teach them how to identify the tricks used by sextortion scammers.

Instagram has also launched a “Nudity Protection” feature that blurs images that might depict nudity. Moreover, it provides gentle reminders before they share such images, encouraging careful selection of recipients. This feature will be available to teenage accounts worldwide.

Antigone Davis, Meta’s Global Head of Safety, noted that the “screenshot” function in Instagram’s messaging platform has been removed because scammers were using it to capture transient sensitive images.

Just recently, Meta introduced a new account format designed to enhance protections for teenagers and allow parents greater oversight of their children’s online activities. This latest update targeting sextortion appears to be a response to pressure from parents and public representatives. However, critics argue that Meta’s strategy seems reactive, sidestepping larger, more fundamental issues regarding the negative impact of Instagram on the mental and emotional well-being of teens.

Scammers often pose as someone from the same country and of a similar age as their victims, gaining their trust before asking their “friends” to share revealing photos or videos. Once they obtain these images, they threaten to expose the victim unless payment is made. Davis stated that the newly introduced features aim to eliminate such criminal activity.

Behind the scenes, Meta has reported shutting down 63,000 accounts linked to sextortion scams, with thousands connected to a particular group based in Nigeria.

Despite Instagram’s claims of ongoing improvements in protecting teenagers over the past three years, the pressure to address issues like sexual abuse and cyberbullying continues to grow.