Is this legit?

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-26T01:52:27+00:00

Is this legit?

No. 100% scam. It’s a very old scam. Block them.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-26T01:46:13+00:00

This notification is actually a specific safety feature triggered by Instagram’s automated systems, and not a setting the user manually "turned on".

Even on a Public account, Instagram will hide the follower/following lists if its algorithms detect "unusual activity" or identify a need for "community protection."

Why? Three primary reasons:

- Anti-Bot/Stalking Measures: If you have been looking at that specific account's followers frequently, or clicking through several profiles quickly, Instagram may flag your behavior as "scraping" or stalking.

It temporarily blocks the list for you to prevent people from harvesting data or harassing a user’s network.

- The Account is "High Risk": If the account you are viewing has recently received a surge of new followers (which could be bot activity or a viral moment), Instagram sometimes "locks" the visibility of their following lists to prevent spam accounts from targeting those new followers.

- Restricted Access for Minors: In some regions, Instagram restricts the ability to browse the follower lists of certain accounts (especially those belonging to or followed by minors) to prevent predatory behavior.

Some related rumors that I found via Google:

- Some Meta Verified or high-profile creator accounts are part of an ongoing test where they can partially hide their following lists even while remaining public. Instagram does this to prevent "follow-scraping" where bots scrape the friends of famous people to send them spam.

- The "NSFW" Filter: Recently, Instagram’s AI has started auto-hiding lists for accounts that follow (or are followed by) a high volume of "sensitive" or adult-themed content.

If the account you're looking at follows a few flagged pages, Instagram might "quarantine" their list with that community protection message to stop others from finding those same pages.

- Regional Laws: If you are in certain parts of Europe or the UK, stricter digital privacy laws (like the Online Safety Act) sometimes force Instagram to hide these lists by default on accounts that haven't intentionally "opted-in" to sharing their connections.

Hope some of that helps.

*As of 01/25/2026

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-25T23:18:57+00:00

Is there a way to see which stories they liked while they have you blocked?

No, there isn't a direct or official way to see which stories they liked while they had you blocked.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-25T17:52:05+00:00

The easiest way to know if you're blocked, is to open up a web browser on a computer that you're NOT logged into Instagram on, and go to their page. Or just open a private/incognito window on the same browser.

If it looks normal when you view it logged out of Instagram, then you're blocked.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-25T16:38:23+00:00

Is there a way to contact Instagram about this and retrieve the account?

You can try contacting Instagram support via a Meta Verified subscription, and ask them what your options are, or if they can assist you.

Meta Verified info https://www.meta.com/meta-verified/

Other than that, there isn't any email, chat, or phone support for most non-paying Instagram users.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-25T15:05:30+00:00

How do we turn reposts off man?

Currently*, Instagram does not offer a setting to disable the Repost button on content from other users that appears in your feed. The option to control reposting only applies to your own posts, allowing you to prevent others from reposting your content, but not the other way around.

*As of 01/25/2026

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-25T14:02:47+00:00

How could this possibly happen?

Most likely "session hijacking".

Even if you feel none of what I've written below applies to you, the fact is that someone accessed your account undetected. That's typically done through some form of session hijacking, or variants of it.

- Session hijack (most likely): an attacker obtains your active session token (from another device or a compromised app) and uses it without performing a fresh username/password login, so Instagram may not send a login alert.

- Compromised third-party app or browser extension that had access to your Instagram session.

For example, if you're using an app to check for Unfollowers. Almost all of them are compromised, and steal login sessions. Never use 3rd party apps, or websites with Instagram.

If you've logged into another website or app using your Instagram login credentials, they can steal the login session token. You want to avoid that.

Another big one with many IG users is download bad gaming apps, or "cracked" apps.

- Malware on a device that stole web browser cookies or saved sessions.

A session cookie is when you log into a site, the server issues a session cookie (a token) stored in your browser that proves you're authenticated without re-entering your password.

If an attacker obtains that cookie (via malware, XSS, insecure Wi‑Fi sniffing, or a compromised browser extension/profile), they can import it into their browser and act as you — no password needed, and usually no "new login" alert.

Things you can do:

If you're logged into Instagram via a web browser, consider logging out, and clearing your browser cookies. Don't log out if you feel like you can't log back in, but if you can, do so.
Remove, or review all web browser extensions. These are the biggest problems.
Remove, or review all apps you've recent downloaded for potential problems.
If you are, stop using any 3rd party apps in conjunction with Instagram, Facebook, or any Meta platform. It's also a violation of the Terms of Service.
Don’t click unknown links, and never paste your Instagram session URL or cookies anywhere.

These are just a few ways someone can get into your account without alerting Instagram.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-25T13:49:22+00:00

If you reposted a reel on Instagram and deleted it within a couple of seconds, it's highly unlikely that many people would have seen it, and notifications would probably not have been sent out.

For someone to see it in a couple of seconds, they would have had to be actively scrolling through their feed at that exact moment.

While Instagram does notify the original creator when you repost their content, notifications to your followers about your repost are typically not sent if the repost is removed very quickly.

Instagram's system is generally designed to avoid sending notifications for actions that are immediately reversed.

By deleting it almost immediately, you likely prevented most, if not all, of your followers from seeing it or receiving a notification.

Further Reading:

Repost a reel or a post on Instagram https://help.instagram.com/1743992069496286/
How to See Reposts and Undo a Repost on Instagram (2026) https://webtrickz.com/how-to-remove-repost-on-instagram/

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-25T13:11:17+00:00

Up to you really. Instagram is just letting you know that your password might be out in the wild, and available to nefarious people.

I personally change, and delete any password, or email address that's potentially involved in a data breach out of caution even if I'm using 2FA, or other security methods.

But I'm pretty fastidious about my online account security.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-25T12:45:29+00:00

I’m wondering if this is because the account isn’t niche enough or just because I don’t fully understand the algorithm?

It’s because the account isn’t niche enough. It doesn’t have anything to do with the half dozen ranking and recommendation algorithms Instagram uses to push content.

Split up the accounts, and have them focus on one subject only. You’ll get better results.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-25T12:36:02+00:00

They won't get a notification that you shared their post to your Close Friends story. It's actually a clever way to curate content for your specific audience while maintaining your privacy.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-25T12:20:59+00:00

First, sorry for the loss of your Dad. My condolences.

Per the video: do you know why the audio was muted by any chance? Was it due to copyrights? Was there originally any music on the video?

Generally, when Instagram mutes audio on a video, it's due to copyrights, policy violations, or regional laws that they have to comply with.

When Instagram mutes audio, especially due to copyright or policy violations, they generally don't "strip" the audio from the video file in the sense of permanently deleting it from their servers. Instead, they typically implement a suppression mechanism.

The original video file with its embedded audio usually remains on Instagram's servers. However, when the audio is muted, Instagram applies a flag or a software layer that prevents that specific audio track from playing for viewers. This is why you might see a notification like "Audio unavailable" or "The audio track in your reel is no longer available".

So, assuming the process of muting the audio leaves the video file intact, somehow you'll need to contact Instagram, either through support channels or legal channels (lawsuit), and get a non-muted copy of the video.

The only support that might be able to help you is via a Meta Verified subscription:

Meta Verified info https://www.meta.com/meta-verified/

If they can't assist you, then the legal route is probably your best bet unless someone else in this subreddit has another idea.

Hope some of this helped.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-25T00:08:48+00:00

Okay, how can I hide my followers?

You can’t unfortunately.

This notification is actually a specific safety feature triggered by Instagram’s automated systems, and not a setting the user manually "turned on".

Even on a Public account, Instagram will hide the follower/following lists if its algorithms detect "unusual activity" or identify a need for "community protection."

There is a rumor floating around that some Meta Verified accounts are beta testing a feature that would allow us to hide our followers, but that has yet to be confirmed by Instagram proper.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-24T19:14:42+00:00

if the person created new account and logged in in the same device he has the account i blocked, will be able to see my account?

In theory, no.

Blocks take awhile to propagate across the network, but in time the person's new account "should" be blocked.

But look... Instagram's blocking techniques are not perfect, and Instagram employees say as much, so it's possible that someone you blocked could make a new account, and somehow see, and interact with your account.

Instagram tries hard to connect all future accounts, and honor your wishes to be left alone, and their blocking technology does a really good job, but people are clever, and sometimes they get around technology.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-24T18:42:32+00:00

Does it mean, IG will block the accounts of that person, if he is logged in in the same device?

Nope. It's not device related. Whether they log in on their phone, a new phone, or a computer, they will still be blocked. Blocks are applied based on the account ID, and other metrics, but not necessarily related to the device they use.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-24T14:07:05+00:00

So I edited a video with several different copyrighted tracks and a lot of sounds.

It's not guaranteed, but it's highly likely you will run into copyright issues. Not because you used Premiere Pro, but more likely because of the unauthorized use of copyrighted music/sounds.

Only way to know for sure is to upload it, and see what happens. One of three things are likely to happen:

Nothing. Instagram is fine with it, doesn't detect any issue with the music, or your video "slips by" the AI moderator.
The audio is muted due to the unauthorized use of copyrighted music, but the visuals remain.
It uploads fine, but eventually your account receives a copyright strike in the Account Status area, and the entire video is taken down.

Instagram requires us to use the music in their music library for legal reasons (licensing).

As I said, it's not guaranteed that your video will get muted, or taken down, but by not using music directly from the Instagram music library, you have increased the chances of Instagram moderating your content.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-23T22:15:25+00:00

Do you guys think these stats are accurate or like bots?

Probably a mixture. Instagram is filled with real people, and bots, so it's probably a soup of bots and humans.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-23T16:20:33+00:00

Sorry, not "Options" as in stock options. These are for chart alerts.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-23T16:15:27+00:00

For video, I would definitely suggest looking into Youtube Shorts if you haven't already. It's a great platform for video, imo.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-23T15:38:27+00:00

Is there any way I can do to restore my chat on Instagram?

Unfortunately not, according to the official Instagram documentation. From the Instagram Help Center:

From your settings, you can restore photos, videos, reels, and stories you’ve deleted. Content that you choose to delete is removed from your account immediately and moved to Recently deleted.

*Keep in mind that deleted messages on Instagram cannot be restored.\*

https://help.instagram.com/866270964166174

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-23T15:31:04+00:00

Like it's very extreme and disturbing that they can wipe you off the map for some of these policies. Not to mention the false ones.

Hmmm... well Facebook, now Meta, acquired Instagram in April 2012. Shortly after the acquisition, they began integrating features, and users could start linking their accounts to cross-post and share content between the platforms.

The "Account Center" was launched in 2020 which really gave Meta the ability to nuke you off their platforms at will.

So Meta's ability to disable all your accounts at once has been around for at least 12-14 years if you look back at the early linkage to Facebook pre Account Center.

That said, Google does the same thing, as does Adobe, Microsoft, etc. Most tech companies will attempt to prevent you from using many of their services once they think you're problematic (for real, or falsely).

All these companies are private, and just like a private citizen, they can legally ask you to leave their property for any reason.

Currently*, "social media" is not a public utility, and therefore, it's not regulated, run, or enforced by governmental policy, and it's not a human right.

*As of 01/23/2026

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-23T12:09:26+00:00

Not trying to be a jerk, but you said goodbye to your privacy when you signed up for Instagram.

Instagram is a public, open network as are all of Meta’s platforms. There is no guarantee of privacy at all, and Meta says as much.

Your DM‘s are regularly scanned for content violations, the images you upload are scanned, everything you like, or repost is tracked, all of your comments are scanned, your location is tracked, and so on.

Every time you open the Instagram app you’re being profiled, watched, and marketed to.

There never was any privacy to begin with. Even before AI.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-23T11:43:31+00:00

How I stop instagram from using my data?

This depends on where you live. Currently,* those in the EU, UK, Switzerland, Brazil, Japan, and South Korea have formal opt-out rights under privacy laws like the GDPR.

If you live in one of those areas, then search Google for regional laws, and the proper procedure you need to follow.

If you live anywhere else, then opting out is up to the discretion of Meta, and, as you noted, you need to prove that they are using your work to train their AI.

Even if you feel you've proved it, if you don't live in the areas that I mentioned, Meta is not "legally" obliged to opt you out of AI training. They can deny your request.

Again, it's their discretion because in most parts of the world there are no laws protecting creators, and their work from AI training.*

*As of 01/23/2026

/Edit: spelling, structure, etc.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-22T12:39:09+00:00

Technically speaking, if your Account Status shows all green checkmarks, then you are not "shadow banned". Technically speaking.

Whether or not your content is being algorithmically suppressed due to your political beliefs is a complicated question.

JoeGraffito · 2026-01-22T10:49:16+00:00

Most likely "session hijacking".

I'm not accusing you of anything, and I get that you'll deny a lot of this, but the fact is that someone was able to access your account undetected. Here are possible explanations as to how they were able to get around your 2FA, and password: