Why Instagram’s ‘shady’ new privacy settings could help users cheat on their partners without getting caught: ‘This app doesn’t care about you’

Instagram has been heavily criticized for testing a new update that will allow users to cheat on their partners.

This week, Meta’s app started testing an option that allows users to hide who can see what they “like.”

The update was rolled out to a small group of users, including British social media expert Matt Navarra, who uploaded a screenshot to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday showing Instagram announcing its new change.

Navarra wrote: ‘Instagram is testing the option to HIDE your ‘like’ activity. You could select which audience can see the likes you’ve made on posts and reels, for example everyone, people you only follow, close friends only, or no one.”

Australian radio queen Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, 48, has since condemned the update, calling it “shady as (f**k)” during a segment on the Kyle And Jackie O show on Tuesday.

Henderson pointed out that if someone “likes” someone else’s post, it could be evidence that they are speaking to them privately.

“Say your friend really wants to jump into a girl’s DMs (direct messages). There’s evidence, you know, a little bit of evidence. There is a trail,” she said.

She noted that hiding this information could help users keep their online flirting secret.

This week, Meta’s app started testing an option that allows users to hide who can see what they “like.” The update was rolled out to a small group of users, including British social media expert Matt Navarra, who on Monday uploaded a screenshot to X (formerly Twitter) showing how Instagram had announced its new change

Australian radio queen Jackie ‘O’ Henderson, 48, (pictured) has since condemned the update, calling it “shady as (f**k)” during a segment on the Kyle And Jackie O show on Tuesday

“You can start a series of likes with bikini models you’re trying to convince, you can comment on how hot they are, (and) no one will see it except the bikini model you’re targeting,” she complained.

“I’m trying to imagine that this wasn’t invented for any other reason, just to be obscure,” she added.

Henderson’s co-host Kyle Sandilands, 52, had similar thoughts, telling her: ‘I think you’re right. There is no other purpose unless a man tries not to be picked up by his wife.”

Sandilands later accused Instagram of being driven by a desire to increase user engagement, rather than considering the consequences.

‘That’s ultimately what it’s all about. They don’t really care about you.’

Henderson (left) pointed out that if someone “likes” someone else’s post, it could be evidence that he or she is speaking to them privately. Her co-host Kyle Sandilands, 52, (right) had similar thoughts, telling her: “I think you’re right. There is no other goal unless a man is trying not to get picked up by his wife.