Instagram: News
Instagram is a Facebook-owned social media platform that focuses on image sharing. The platform was released in October 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. In April 2012, the platform was acquired by Facebook for just $1 billion in cash and stock. As of 2018, Instagram was valued at approximately $100 billion. The platform is accessible on Android, iOS, Windows, and via a website in 32 languages. Instagram originally supported posting images only. Now, it allows users to post ephemeral content in the form of Stories (just like Snapchat), short-format video content (Reels), long-form videos (IGTV), and video posts. The platform sees millions of posts and stories uploaded each day with the most-like post of all time being a picture of an egg. The egg got around 55 million likes to supersede a record of 18 million likes on a post by American celebrity Kylie Jenner. Instagram is monetized via in-app advertising just like Facebook. Advertisements can be seen between stories, reels, and posts on the main feed. Instagram also allows users to call and message each other individually or in groups using a direct message feature called DMs.
Meta unveils Muse Spark, first AI model from superintelligence team
Meta Platforms has unveiled Muse Spark, the first artificial intelligence (AI) model developed by its superintelligence team.
Zareen Khan's mother Parveen dies at 65
Bollywood actor Zareen Khan's mother, Parveen Khan, died on Wednesday in Mumbai.
Social media trial reminds me of tobacco cases: Whistleblower
A Los Angeles jury recently ruled that Meta and YouTube intentionally designed their products to be addictive and harm children.
'Watch war from villa': Dubai realtor's pitch sparks outrage
A Dubai-based realtor, Abubakar Siddiq, has sparked controversy with a marketing video for luxury villas overlooking the Strait of Hormuz.
Instagram's paid plan is being tested: What does it offer?
Meta has started testing a new paid subscription model for Instagram, called Instagram Plus. The company confirmed the development to TechCrunch.
Centre proposes IT rule changes to regulate user-posted news
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has proposed amendments to the Information Technology (IT) Rules.
'Should call terrorist to act?': 'Dhurandhar' actor defends negative role
Vivek Sinha, who played the role of hijacker Zahoor Mistry in Dhurandhar, has defended his decision to accept the part.
Rahul Banerjee dies from accidental drowning: Last post goes viral
Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee (43) died on Sunday due to accidental drowning at Talsari Beach near Digha, West Bengal. The news has left the Bengali entertainment industry and his fans shocked.
Modi remains world's most popular leader: Study by US firm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has topped the global popularity charts once again, according to a recent survey by United States-based data analytics firm Morning Consult.
Meta using AI to boost shopping on Facebook and Instagram
Meta is leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the shopping experience on its social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.
You can now insert shopping links in Instagram, Facebook posts
Meta is set to introduce shopping links directly into posts on Instagram and Facebook.
TikTok bans accounts using AI to impersonate Black influencers
TikTok has banned nearly 20 accounts for using artificial intelligence (AI) to impersonate Black female influencers.
PM Modi becomes India's longest-serving head of government
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the longest-serving head of government in India, surpassing former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling's record.
Meta to use new AI system to monitor content
Meta has announced the rollout of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems for content enforcement.
Instagram's new 'tap-to-pause' feature gives you more control over Reels
Instagram has announced a new 'tap-to-pause' feature for its Reels, allowing users to stop videos with just one tap.
Instagram, TikTok worse for mental health than WhatsApp, Facebook: Study
A recent study published in the World Happiness Report has revealed that social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok can be more detrimental to mental health than Facebook and WhatsApp.
Facebook launches new monetization program to lure TikTok, YouTube stars
Facebook has launched a new initiative called "Creator Fast Track," aimed at helping content creators grow their presence on the platform.
Influencer marketing in IPL 2026 to touch ₹700 crore
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to witness a major surge in influencer marketing, with brands increasingly relying on creators to connect with audiences during the tournament.
You can now modify sound of your Instagram voice notes
Instagram has unveiled a new feature, AI Voice Effects, for voice notes in direct messages (DMs).
19-year-old dental student held for links to ISIS online module
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested a 19-year-old dental student, Haarish Ali, for his alleged links with an online module of the banned terrorist organization ISIS.
Whistleblowers claim TikTok, Meta sacrificed safety for engagement
Whistleblowers and insiders from social media giants TikTok and Meta have revealed that the companies put user safety at risk in a bid to win an "algorithm arms race."
Your Instagram DMs won't be end-to-end encrypted from May
Meta has announced that it will be discontinuing the end-to-end encryption (E2EE) feature for Instagram DMs.
Meta unveils custom AI chips amid data center expansion
Meta has unveiled four custom-designed chips, specifically tailored for artificial intelligence (AI) tasks. The move is part of the company's major data center expansion plans.
Who is Anurag Dobhal? YouTuber hospitalized after accident during live
Anurag Dobhal, a popular YouTuber, is currently hospitalized after a serious car crash on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway in Ghaziabad's Masuri area.
Zuckerberg says crime on Facebook 'inevitable' in teen safety trial
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has admitted that criminal behavior on Facebook is "inevitable" due to the platform's massive user base.
Mark Zuckerberg admits to prioritizing teen engagement on Instagram
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently testified in a deposition that he has resisted censoring content on his company's platforms, particularly in the context of cosmetic filters on Instagram.
Instagram might be misusing your posts to promote products
Instagram's new feature is using influencers' posts to promote lookalike products, and you might be a victim too.
'KGF' makers Hombale Films level up; announce overseas distribution wing
Hombale Films, the powerhouse behind pan-India blockbusters like KGF: Chapter 1 and 2, Kantara, Salaar, and Mahavatar Narasimha, has announced its entry into overseas distribution.
Rashmika-Vijay's wedding announcement breaks records on social media
Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda's wedding announcement has taken the internet by storm, breaking all previous records for the most liked celebrity wedding post in the Indian film industry's history.
Instagram will alert parents if teens search self-harm content
Instagram has announced a new feature that will alert parents if their teen repeatedly searches for terms related to suicide or self-harm.
PM Modi becomes 1st leader with 100 million Instagram followers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become the first world leader to cross 100 million followers on Instagram. The achievement makes him the most followed political figure on the platform.
'The Snappys': Snapchat's 1st-ever awards show scheduled for March 21
Snapchat has announced its first-ever awards show, "The Snappys," scheduled for March 21. The event aims to honor "the creators shaping culture on Snapchat."
Instagram TV app now available on Google TV
Instagram has launched its dedicated "Instagram for TV" app on Google TV devices in the US.
20% teens see unwanted nude content on Instagram: Court filing
A recent court filing in a landmark US social media addiction trial has revealed that nearly one in five teens aged between 13 and 15 have seen unwanted nude content on Instagram.
Bengaluru student alleges she was drugged, gang-raped inside villa
A 19-year-old college student has accused two men of gang-raping her at a private villa in Bengaluru on the night of February 14.
Why was influencer Kirti Patel arrested?
Social media influencer Kirti Patel was arrested in Udaipur, Rajasthan, on Sunday. The arrest followed a complaint by Junagadh-based YouTuber Abjal Sida, who accused her of harassment and attempted extortion.
Threads makes it easier to share posts to Instagram Stories
Meta has announced a new feature for its social media platform, Threads.
Meta was slow to identify underage users on Instagram: Zuckerberg
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has admitted that his company was slow to identify underage users on Instagram.
Parental controls don't curb social media use by teens: Meta
A recent internal study by Meta, "Project MYST," has found that parental supervision and controls have little effect on teens' compulsive use of social media.
Why Goa is considering social media ban for teens
Goa's Information Technology Minister, Rohan Khaunte, has revealed that the state government is looking into the possibility of banning social media for children under 16.
US government is trying to unmask online critics of ICE
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been pressuring tech companies to reveal the identities of social media users who criticize Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
'Black Venom' account linked to teen's death sparks cyber probe
The tragic death of a 16-year-old girl in Chottanikkara, Kerala, has sparked a police investigation into an alleged online network suspected to have influenced minors through anonymous social media accounts.
Meta's smart glasses may soon come with controversial facial recognition
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, is planning to integrate facial recognition technology into its smart glasses, according to The New York Times.
16 hours a day on Instagram isn't addiction: Adam Mosseri
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, has defended his platform against allegations of causing mental health issues in minors.
'Dear Algo': Threads' new feature lets users customize their feed
Meta-owned social media platform, Threads, has launched a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature called "Dear Algo."
Instagram head to testify in landmark social media addiction trial
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, is set to testify in a high-profile trial in Los Angeles today.
Bad Bunny deletes Instagram posts after SuperBowl performance: What's happening?
Puerto Rican rapper-singer Bad Bunny has caused quite a stir online by deleting all his Instagram posts and unfollowing everyone shortly after his Super Bowl halftime performance.
Landmark trial over social media addiction among children begins today
A landmark US trial is set to begin today, focusing on whether social media companies intentionally design their platforms to addict children.
Meta is testing a standalone app for its AI slop
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has confirmed that it is testing a standalone app for its Vibes feature.
Bengali influencer arrested for allegedly molesting girlfriend
Shamik Adhikary, a popular social media influencer known as "Nonsane," was arrested in Kolkata on Thursday after his girlfriend accused him of forcibly detaining and molesting her.
Bella Hadid pulled over before boyfriend's public intoxication arrest
Supermodel Bella Hadid was reportedly pulled over by police shortly before her on-again, off-again boyfriend, Adan Banuelos, was arrested for public intoxication.
Tinder tests AI-powered 'Chemistry' feature to combat swipe fatigue
Tinder, the popular dating app owned by Match Group, introduced and is currently testing a new artificial intelligence (AI) feature called Chemistry.