Instagram’s 10th Anniversary Update Adds Anti-Bullying Features, Stories Map, and Custom Icons

Oct. 6, 2020

Instagramjust turned 10 years old and the company is celebrating the occasion with new features, primarily focused on stopping bullying on the platform. The features also include a private Stories Map in Stories Archive and custom app icons on mobile.

Instagram says it has been testing afeature to automatically hide offensive comments. As a step to bring more transparency, the company will add a ‘View Hidden Comments’ option so that users can know what kind of comments are typically hidden and choose to view them.Image: Instagram

In July last year, Instagram startedusing AI to warn userswho make hateful comments. The company is now expanding the feature to more languages while slightly modifying the warning message. Theupdated warning message reminds users of the consequences of spreading hatein the platform, including the removal of the account.Image: Instagram

Instagram notes that its features focused on anti-bullying have helped users on several occasions. According to the company,over 35 million Instagram users haveused the Restrict featureto shadow ban bullies and trolls. Moreover, the company points out that more than 3.5 million users havebulk deleted comments or blocked usersto reduce negative interactions.

Instagram has added aprivate Stories Map feature that shows the locations of all the stories you’ve shared over the past three years. This feature has been integrated intoStories Archive. You can also take a look at events that took place on a specific date by going through the newly-added calendar.

Lastly, the company hasadded new app icons on Android and iOS. Asspotted last month,  there are a handful of color options including orange, green, yellow, black to choose from, along with the company’s classic ones and pride-themed icons. These icons will be available through the latest Instagram app.

Subin writes about consumer tech, software, and security. He secretly misses the headphone jack while pretending he’s better off with the wireless freedom.