Is Instagram Safe?
An independent privacy and security review of instagram.com. All claims sourced from official privacy policies, regulatory actions, and credible research.
Instagram does not have its own privacy policy — it operates under Meta's Privacy Policy, the same one covering Facebook, Messenger, and Threads. This means all your Instagram activity feeds into Meta's unified data ecosystem. Instagram collects photos, messages, location, device data, and behavioral patterns. The Meta Pixel tracks Instagram users across millions of third-party websites. Meta's Instagram app was caught siphoning data through an undisclosed Android back door in mid-2025. Instagram was fined €405 million by Ireland's DPC in 2022 for mishandling children's data, including making children's accounts and contact information public by default.
📊 What Instagram Collects About You
Based on Instagram's privacy policy (June 16, 2025 (Meta Privacy Policy)):
🔍 Tracking & Third-Party Data Sharing
Instagram inherits Meta's full cross-site tracking infrastructure. The Meta Pixel on millions of websites tracks your browsing even when you're not using Instagram. Meta's advertising ID links your Instagram activity to your behavior across the entire web. In June 2025, the Washington Post reported that Meta's Instagram and Facebook apps were siphoning user data through an undisclosed channel on Android devices.
- Instagram operates under Meta's privacy policy — all data feeds into Meta's unified advertising ecosystem across Facebook, Messenger, Threads, and WhatsApp
- In June 2025, the Washington Post reported Meta's Instagram app was siphoning data through an undisclosed Android back door 'for months' — even Google didn't know
- Meta Pixel tracks Instagram users across millions of third-party websites for ad targeting
- Meta creates 'shadow profiles' on non-users if someone else uploads their photo, tags them, or syncs contacts containing their info
- Public Instagram content (photos, Reels, comments) is used to train Meta AI with no opt-out for US users
🔓 Breach History
Instagram inherits Meta/Facebook's breach history. Additionally, Instagram-specific incidents have exposed user data.
⚖️ Regulatory Actions & Fines
⚠️ Key Privacy Risks Specific to Instagram
🛠️ Privacy Controls Available
Instagram provides some privacy controls through Meta's Account Center, but meaningful opt-out from tracking is extremely limited. There is no way to prevent Meta Pixel tracking across the web through Instagram's settings alone.
- Private account setting: Limits who can see posts (public by default)
- Ad preferences: Limited ability to control ad targeting via Account Center
- Off-Facebook Activity: View and clear third-party data (does not stop future collection)
- Download your data: Available through settings
- Disable location access (Meta can still determine approximate location via IP)
- No way to opt out of Meta AI training for US users
- Cannot prevent Meta Pixel tracking through Instagram settings alone — requires browser extensions
🛡️ How to Protect Your Privacy on Instagram
1. Use a VPN — Hides your IP address and encrypts your connection, preventing Instagram from linking your activity to your real location and ISP.
2. Use a privacy browser — Firefox with strict tracking protection or Brave blocks many third-party trackers. Consider browser extensions like Privacy Badger (EFF) or uBlock Origin.
3. Check your browser fingerprint — See how uniquely identifiable you are with our Browser Fingerprint Test.
4. Check for breaches — See if your accounts have been compromised with our Email Breach Checker.
5. Review your settings — Tighten Instagram's privacy settings and disable data collection where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Instagram safe to use in 2026?
Instagram is a legitimate service used by millions, but its data collection practices raise privacy concerns. Our analysis rates its privacy risk as "very high" based on data collection scope, tracking practices, breach history, and regulatory actions. Whether it's "safe" depends on your personal comfort with data exposure.
Does Instagram sell my data?
Most major services claim they don't "sell" data in the traditional sense. However, they may share data with advertising partners, use it for targeted advertising, or monetize it through data-driven ad platforms. The functional result for users is often similar whether data is technically "sold" or used for ad targeting.
How do I delete my Instagram data?
Most services offer a data download and deletion option in their account settings, typically under "Privacy" or "Your Data." Under GDPR (EU), you have the legal right to request full data deletion. In the US, some states (California, Virginia, Colorado, and others) offer similar rights. Check Instagram's privacy settings for data download and account deletion options.
When was this review last updated?
This review was last verified on 2026-02-16. We check the privacy policy at https://privacycenter.instagram.com/policy and update our review when significant changes occur. See our methodology page for details on our review process.
📎 Sources
- Instagram Privacy Policy (effective June 16, 2025 (Meta Privacy Policy))
- Washington Post — 'Meta found a new way to violate your privacy' (June 2025)
- Consumer Reports — 'Instagram Privacy Settings You Should Change' (Jan 2025)
- Meta Privacy Policy (updated June 16, 2025)
- Irish DPC fined Meta €405 million for Instagram's handling of children's data — specifically making children's accounts public by default and exposing children's contact information — Irish DPC (2022)
- Meta fined €1.2 billion by Irish DPC for transferring EU user data (including Instagram data) to the US without adequate safeguards — the largest GDPR fine in history — Irish DPC (2023)