Yes, we have questions. Instagram has introduced a feature called Instants, enabling users to share unedited photo dumps that disappear after being viewed. Announced on Wednesday, this Meta-owned tool allows users to send photos to Close Friends or mutual followers. Although you can’t edit these photos, captions can be added. Instants vanish after being seen or after 24 hours, similar to existing disappearing message features on platforms like Snapchat, Signal, Telegram, and WhatsApp. An undo button is available to retract a sent photo.
Instants appear in the Instagram DM inbox as a pile of photos. Recipients can react with emoji, reply, or send their own Instants. Screenshots of Instants are not allowed, but it’s still possible for the recipient to capture an image using other methods. Instagram reviews content shared with Close Friends, and all posts must follow Instagram’s nudity guidelines. Furthermore, Instagram has ceased offering end-to-end encryption for DMs, so Instants are protected by standard encryption only.
Mashable has contacted Instagram for comment.