Instagram has announced that users will be able to request verification, enable 2FA, and use a new "About This Account" feature.
In an official Instagram blog post titled “New Tools to Keep Instagram Safe,” on Aug. 28, by Instagram Co-Founder & CTO Mike Krieger, the company announced that it was introducing several new features to increase security, authenticity, and transparency on the popular social media app.
About This Account
The first feature, called "About This Account," will allow users to determine the authenticity of a given account via the app by learning important account details.
Per Krieger, this feature was developed in light of community interest in ascertaining deeper context of accounts to evaluate them:
Our community has told us that it’s important to them to have a deeper understanding of accounts that reach many people on Instagram, particularly when those accounts are sharing information related to current events, political or social causes, for example.
"About This Account" will be available through the menu button, and show users information such as its join date, a history of the account's username changes over the preceding year, the country where it is based, ads the account is running, and accounts that share followers.
Next month, users with large audiences will be able to review their information before it becomes publicly available.
Two-Factor Authentication
The next major move by the social media giant is to allow third-party two-factor authentication (2FA) support, with the intended goal of increasing safety and secure logins to the Instagram app. This feature will be housed under "Settings," from which users can select “Two-Factor Authentication." They can then specify their preferred method of 2FA -- with support being made available to different authenticator apps on a rolling basis in the coming weeks.
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Verification Request Form
Finally, in a move toward transparency for large public accounts, Instagram has rolled out a feature that allows users to request the coveted blue verified badge, which helps users know they are interacting with the true presence of a notable figure or entity.
Accounts that comply with Instagram's Terms of Service and Community Guidelines, and meet the criteria for notability can now apply for verification directly through the app. But users should not equate this form with ensured verification; the post specifically denotes accounts that "reach large audiences." Requests will be reviewed by Instagram following the completion of the form, after which users will receive a notification confirming or declining the request.
To access this verification request form, select the "Settings" button at the bottom of the app and scroll down to "Request Verification." In order to submit a request, users will need to provide their account username, their full name, and a copy of legal or business identification. For an in-depth walk-through with images, visit this post on Gizmodo.
This move follows an announcement earlier this summer that this feature would be made available in select regions, including Australia. For more information about this process and eligibility, users can visit the Instagram Help Center.
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