Private Instagram Account Loophole Exposed

Model in bathroom, in front of wall mounted mirror, wearing black negligee

(Image credit: Getty)

published 13 January 2015

If you've ever engaged in any Inspector Clouseau-level digging, you'll know that in order to get past a private Instagram account, all you have to do is search your target's Twitter or Facebook for an errant link. You can't see the entire profile, but a going-out selfie is still worth a thousand words, no?

This little loophole is apparently news to the photo-sharing app, which recently issued a fix for it. An Instagram rep told Quartz the update makes it "so that if people change their profile from public to private, Web links that are not shared on other services are only viewable to their followers on Instagram."

To make a short story even shorter, Instagram has "solved" the "problem" without addressing how easy it is take a screenshot. So until that comes to their attention, stick to the golden rule of the Internet: Private account or not, don't post anything you wouldn't want seared into your future children's retinas. Done.

You should also check out:

Instagram Just Unveiled 5 New Filters (and a Few More Surprises)

Instagram's Selfielapse: Great for Pretending You Have Facial Tics, Little Else

PSA: #FirstDateSelfies Are Happening on Instagram

Chelsea Peng is a writer and editor who was formerly the assistant editor at Marie Claire. She's also worked for The Strategist and Refinery29, and is a graduate of Northwestern University. On her tombstone, she would like a GIF of herself that's better than the one that already exists on the Internet and a free fro-yo machine. Besides frozen dairy products, she's into pirates, carbs, Balzac, and snacking so hard she has to go lie down.

Stay In The Know