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Tag: Instagram

  • Instagram Says It Will Notify Parents If Teens ‘Repeatedly’ Search For Terms Related To Suicide – KXL

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    (Associated Press) – Instagram will start alerting parents if their kids repeatedly search for terms clearly associated with suicide or self-harm.

    The alerts will only go to parents who are enrolled in Instagram’s parental supervision program.

    Instagram says it already blocks such content from showing up in teen accounts’ search results and directs people to helplines instead.

    The announcement Thursday comes as Meta faces two trials over harms to children.

    A trial underway in Los Angeles questions whether Meta’s platforms deliberately addict and harm children.

    Another, in New Mexico, seeks to determine whether Meta failed to protect children from sexual exploitation on its platforms.

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    Grant McHill

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  • Instagram to alert parents over teens’ suicide and self-harm searches – Tech Digest

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    In a shift to its safety protocols, Instagram has announced it will begin proactively alerting parents if their teenagers repeatedly search for terms related to suicide and self-harm.

    The feature marks the first time that parent company Meta will notify parents about specific search behaviours, rather than simply blocking the content and providing resources to users.

    The move comes as Meta and other tech giants face what experts are calling their “Big Tobacco” moment. CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently testified in Los Angeles Superior Court regarding allegations that Instagram’s design fosters addiction and detrimental mental health effects in minors.

    By introducing these alerts, Meta aims to provide parents with “the resources they need to support their teen” during critical windows of distress.

    How the alerts will function

    The system is designed to trigger when a teenager enrolled in Instagram’s “Teen Accounts” repeatedly searches for phrases promoting self-harm or terms like “suicide” within a short period. Notifications will be delivered to parents via email, text, WhatsApp, or through the Instagram app itself.

    Meta acknowledged that the system might “err on the side of caution,” potentially sending alerts that do not indicate a genuine crisis. However, it maintains that notifying parents is the “right starting point.”

    The rollout will begin next week in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and Canada, with a global release planned for later this year. Meta also intends to expand these alerts to its AI chatbots, as more children turn to artificial intelligence for emotional support.

    Backlash from safety advocates

    Despite the intended safety benefits, the Molly Rose Foundation – a charity established following the death of 14-year-old Molly Russell – has heavily criticized the plan. Chief Executive Andy Burrows warned that “forced disclosures could do more harm than good,” noting that “flimsy notifications will leave parents panicked and ill-prepared” for the sensitive conversations that follow.

    Advocates argue that the burden of safety is being shifted onto parents rather than addressed at the source. The Molly Rose Foundation cited research suggesting that Instagram’s algorithms still actively recommend harmful content to vulnerable youths.

    Similarly, Ged Flynn of the charity Papyrus stated that parents “don’t want to be warned after their children search for harmful content; they don’t want it to be spoon-fed to them by unthinking algorithms.”

    As regulators in countries like Australia move toward total social media bans for under-16s, Meta’s latest tool represents a high-stakes attempt to prove that self-regulation can still protect young users in an increasingly digital world.


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    Chris Price

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  • Instagram to alert parents when teens search for info on suicide or self-harm

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    Meta-owned Instagram will soon alert parents if their teenage child uses the app to search for content related to suicide or self-harm, the technology company’s latest effort to shore up safety features as it faces heat over how social media impacts young people. 

    Meta said that, starting next week, parents who use Instagram’s supervision tools will get a message — either via email, text or WhatsApp, as well as through an in-app notification — if a teen repeatedly searches for certain terms related to self-harm or suicide within a short time span. 

    The company said the message will inform parents that teens repeatedly searched for suicide or self-harm content and offer resources on how to approach sensitive conversations around mental health.

    “The vast majority of teens do not try to search for suicide and self-harm content on Instagram, and when they do, our policy is to block these searches, instead directing them to resources and helplines that can offer support,” the company said Thursday in a news release.

    Meta did not specify how many searches will prompt a parental alert, noting only that “we chose a threshold that requires a few searches within a short period of time, while still erring on the side of caution.”

    The new safeguard will initially roll out in the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada before being deployed in other regions later this year, according to Meta. 

    In October of last year, Meta also introduced age-based content restrictions that block users under 18 from seeing search results for certain terms, such as “alcohol” or “gore.” At the time, Meta said it already shielded teens from search results related to suicide, self-harm and eating disorders.

    Meta and YouTube trial

    Meta’s new safety features come amid an ongoing trial in Los Angeles over whether its platforms, along with Alphabet-owned YouTube, are deliberately designed to addict young users. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg last week faced questioning about Instagram’s young users and Meta’s efforts to boost engagement.

    Instagram specifies that users must be at least 13 years old to sign up for its app. At trial, however, Zuckerberg conceded that the rule is hard to enforce because users sometimes lie about their age. To verify users’ age, Instagram asks them to submit details such as their birthday, photo identification and a video.

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  • Instagram’s TV app is launching on Google TV devices | TechCrunch

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    Instagram is expanding its Instagram for TV app to Google TV devices in the U.S., two months after its debut on Amazon Fire TV in December. The app first launched as a way to expand Reels-viewing beyond mobile, and now users can also browse posts from their Instagram feeds directly on their TVs.

    By bringing reels to TVs, Instagram is looking to better compete with YouTube, which largely dominates the TV space. Instagram likely wants viewers to switch to its TV app while watching content on the couch, similar to flipping through TV channels. Rival TikTok also has a TV app.

    The new app is personalized to each user, as it shows reels based on the content and creators they enjoy on the Instagram app. Reels are organized into channels and categories based on topics such as comedy, music, and lifestyle.

    Reels play automatically, which means you won’t have to keep scrolling to watch the next video. The Instagram for TV app lets you like, view comments, and re-share reels.

    Users can pair the app with their Instagram app and add up to five accounts in one home. Or, they can choose to create a new account just for TV viewing.

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    Aisha Malik

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  • Mark Zuckerberg testifies in social media addiction trial that Meta just wants Instagram to be ‘useful’

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    Mark Zuckerberg took the stand Wednesday in a high-profile jury trial over social media addiction. In an appearance that was described by NBC News as “combative,” the Facebook founder reportedly said that Meta’s goal was to make Instagram “useful” not increase the time users are spending in the app.

    On the stand, Zuckerberg was questioned about a company document that said improving engagement was among “company goals,” according to CNBC. But Zuckerberg claimed that the company had “made the conscious decision to move away from those goals, focusing instead on utility,” according to The Associated Press. “If something is valuable, people will use it more because it’s useful to them,” he said.

    The trial stems from a lawsuit brought by a California woman identified as “KGM” in court documents. The now 20-year-old alleges that she was harmed as a child by addictive features in Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and TikTok. TikTok and Snap opted to settle before the case went to trial.

    Zuckerberg was also asked about previous public statements, including his remarks on Joe Rogan’s podcast last year that he can’t be fired by Meta’s board because he controls a majority of the voting power. According to The New York Times, Zuckerberg accused the plaintiffs’ lawyer of “mischaracterizing” his past comments more than a dozen times.

    Zuckerberg’s appearance in court also apparently prompted the judge to warn people in the courtroom not to record the proceedings using AI glasses. As CNBC notes, members of Zuckerberg’s entourage were spotted wearing Meta’s smart glasses as the CEO was escorted into the courthouse. It’s unclear if anyone was actually using the glasses in court, but legal affairs journalist Meghann Cuniff reported that the judge was particularly concerned about the possibility of jurors being recorded or subjected to facial recognition. (Meta’s smart glasses do not currently have native facial recognition abilities, but recent reports suggest the company is considering adding such features.)

    The Los Angeles trial has been closely watched not just because it marked a rare in-court appearance for Zuckerberg. It’s among the first of several cases where Meta will face allegations that its platforms have harmed children. In this case and in a separate proceeding in New Mexico, Meta’s lawyers have cast doubt on the idea that social media should be considered a real addiction. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri previously testified in the same Los Angeles trial that Instagram isn’t “clinically addictive.”

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    Karissa Bell

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  • Exclusive: OpenAI Has Poached Instagram’s Celebrity Whisperer

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    OpenAI has hired Instagram’s vice president of global partnerships, Charles Porch, to serve as the AI company’s first-ever vice president of global creative partnerships. The newly created position is the latest move in OpenAI’s push to win over a skeptical entertainment industry.

    In his over 15 years at Instagram, Facebook, and Meta, Porch was instrumental in bringing high-profile figures to the platforms. He facilitated the exclusive Instagram launch of Beyoncé’s self-titled album in 2013, coordinated Instagram’s portrait studios at Vanity Fair’s Oscar Party and the Met Gala, convinced Pope Francis to join the social media platform in 2016, and led an initiative in 2025 to lure TikTok creators over to Instagram Reels with “Breakthrough Bonus” payments.

    OpenAI is hoping to reap similar benefits from Porch’s deep relationships with both talent and management in the worlds of music, film, fashion, art, sports, and the creator ecosystem.

    While Porch and the company offered sparse details on the still-evolving role, which will begin in March, the most likely applications of his talent include arranging deals to license entertainers’ likenesses to appear in OpenAI’s video generation model Sora, building out the future of interactive AI platforms, and promoting AI tools for artistic development in industries like music, fashion, and film.

    In an interview with Vanity Fair this week, Porch explained, “I’m going to be the person that’s talking to creative communities around the world to figure out how we build the best products to serve them.”

    AI companies have so far received a frosty reception in Hollywood over fears that the technology will replace jobs, erode creativity, and devalue intellectual property. In 2023, dual writers’ and actors’ strikes paralyzed the industry, held up largely by complex negotiations over the usage of artificial intelligence. Both unions won a number of protections, including guarantees of compensation should actors’ images be used to create digital doubles and guardrails on studios’ ability to replace human labor with AI. These contracts are set to expire this summer, however.

    In December, OpenAI made a major breakthrough with a $1 billion agreement with Disney. The three-year licensing deal will allow Sora to produce content featuring “animated, masked, and creature” characters from the worlds of Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars.

    Licensing the likeness of real people will be a far taller order. In recent months, big-name stars like Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine, and Gwyneth Paltrow have licensed their voices to be recreated by AI companies ElevenLabs and Speechify for audio content, signaling an openness from talent and agencies to dipping a toe into the world of AI, provided the right compensation models, data privacy agreements, and level of creative and reputational control.

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    Julia Black

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  • Meta’s own research found parental supervision doesn’t really help curb teens’ compulsive social media use | TechCrunch

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    An internal research study at Meta dubbed “Project MYST” created in partnership with the University of Chicago, found that parental supervision and controls — such as time limits and restricted access — had little impact on kids’ compulsive use of social media. The study also found that kids who experienced stressful life events were more likely to lack the ability to moderate their social media use appropriately.

    This was one of the notable claims revealed during testimony at the social media addiction trial that began last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The plaintiff in the lawsuit is identified by her initials “KGM” or her first name, “Kaley.” She, along with her mother and others joining the case, is accusing social media companies of creating “addictive and dangerous” products that led the young users to suffer anxiety, depression, body dysmorphia, eating disorders, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and more.

    The case is now one of several landmark trials that will take place this year, which accuse social media companies of harming children. The results of these lawsuits will impact these companies’ approach to their younger users and could prompt regulators to take further action.

    In this case, the plaintiff sued Meta, YouTube, ByteDance (TikTok), and Snap, but the latter two companies had settled their claims before the trial’s start.

    In the jury trial now underway in L.A., Kaley’s lawyer, Mark Lanier, brought up an internal study at Meta, which he said found evidence that Meta knew of, yet didn’t publicize, these specific harms.

    In Project MYST, which stands for the Meta and Youth Social Emotional Trends survey, Meta’s research concluded that “parental and household factors have little association with teens’ reported levels of attentiveness to their social media use.”

    Or, in other words, even when parents try to control their children’s social media use, either by using parental controls or even just household rules and supervision, it doesn’t impact whether or not the child will overuse social media or use it compulsively. The study was based on a survey of 1,000 teens and their parents about their social media use.

    The study also noted that both parents and teens agreed on this front, saying “there is no association between either parental reports or teen reports of parental supervision, and teens’ survey measures of attentiveness or capability.”

    If the study’s findings are accurate, that would mean that the use of things like the built-in parental controls in the Instagram app or the time limits on smartphones wouldn’t necessarily help teens become less inclined to overuse social media, the plaintiff’s lawyer argued. As the original complaint alleges, teens are being exploited by social media products, whose defects include algorithmic feeds designed to keep users scrolling, intermittent variable rewards that manipulate dopamine delivery, incessant notifications, deficient tools for parental controls, and more.

    During his testimony, Instagram head Adam Mosseri claimed not to be familiar with Meta’s Project MYST, even though a document seemed to indicate he had given his approval to move forward with the study.

    “We do a lot of research projects,” Mosseri said, after claiming he couldn’t remember anything specific about MYST beyond its name.

    However, the plaintiff’s lawyer pointed to this study as an example of why social media companies should be held accountable for their alleged harms, not the parents. He noted that Kaley’s mother, for example, had tried to stop her daughter’s social media addiction and use, even taking her phone away at times.

    What’s more, the study found that teens who had a greater number of adverse life experiences — like those dealing with alcoholic parents, harassment at school, or other issues — reported less attentiveness over their social media use. That means that kids facing trauma in their real lives were more at risk of addiction, the lawyer argued.

    On the stand, Mosseri seemed to partially agree with this finding, saying, “There’s a variety of reasons this can be the case. One I’ve heard often is that people use Instagram as a way to escape from a more difficult reality.” Meta is careful not to label any sort of overuse as addiction; instead, Mosseri stated that the company uses the term “problematic use” to refer to someone “spending more time on Instagram than they feel good about.”

    Lawyers for Meta, meanwhile, pushed the idea that the study was more narrowly focused on understanding if teens felt they were using social media too much, not whether or not they were actually addicted. They also generally aimed to put more of the responsibility on parents and the realities of life as the catalyst for kids like Kaley’s negative emotional states, not companies’ social media products.

    For instance, Meta’s lawyers pointed to Kaley being a child of divorced parents, with an abusive father, and facing bullying at school.

    How the jury will interpret the findings of studies like Project MYST and others, along with the testimonies from both sides, remains to be seen. Mosseri did note, however, that MYST’s findings had not been published publicly, and no warnings were ever issued to teens or parents as a result of the research.

    Meta has been asked for comment.

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    Sarah Perez

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  • Clean up your social media feed and cut the noise

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    Scrolling used to be relaxing. Now it often feels chaotic. That is not a coincidence. Nearly everything you see on social media is controlled by algorithms that track what you like, watch, click and ignore. Over time, those signals get muddy. One curiosity click can reshape your feed for weeks. The solution is not deleting your accounts. It is retraining the system.

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    Your social media experience starts the moment you tap an app, and every click helps shape what shows up next. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

    How social media algorithms decide what you see

    Algorithms pay attention to behavior, not intention. They track engagement patterns and repeat what keeps you scrolling. If your feed feels off, it usually means the algorithm learned the wrong lesson. Resetting your feed helps correct that.

    Note: This article is written desktop-first (PC or Mac). When a step is phone-only or significantly different on mobile, it is clearly labeled.

    How to clean up your Facebook Feed

    Primary device: PC or Mac. Phone differences noted.

    Use Content Preferences to retrain Facebook (PC or Mac)

    Facebook’s feed is built around people, pages and groups you follow, plus recommended content and ads.

    • Click your profile photo in the upper right
    • Select Settings and Privacy > Content Preferences

    From here, you can:

    • Add people and groups to Favorites
    • Snooze posts temporarily
    • Unfollow accounts without unfriending them
    • Reconnect with accounts you muted before

    These tools are easiest to manage on a desktop.

    Filter your Feed view (PC or Mac)

    • To bypass the main algorithmic feed:
    • Click Feeds in the left navigation
    • Choose to view only Favorites,  Friends, Groups, or Pages

    This shows content chronologically within those categories.

    Hide and flag posts as you scroll (PC, Mac and phone)

    On any post in your Facebook feed:

    • Click the three-dot menu in the upper right of the post
    • Choose Hide post, Snooze, or Unfollow, depending on what appears

    Hiding posts and snoozing or unfollowing accounts sends the same signal to the algorithm. Use these options often. Facebook responds more reliably to repeated negative feedback than occasional clicks.

    For suggested posts and reels, you may also see Not interested. Selecting it further trains the feed away from similar content.

    Cut down ads and sensitive topics (PC, Mac and phone)

    When ads appear:

    • Click the X to hide them
    • Or use the three-dot menu to hide or report

    For deeper control:

    • Go to Settings and Privacy > Settings
    • Open Account Center
    • Click Ad Preferences > Customize ads
    • Select See All next to Ad Topics
    • Click View and manage topics
    • Click the topic name
    • Choose See less
    • Repeat this for every topic you want to limit.

    To block specific words in comments:

    • Click your profile picture (top right on desktop)
    • Settings & privacy → Settings
    • In the left column, click Profile and Tagging
    • Under “Profile,” look for Hide comments containing certain words from your profile and click on the arrow next to it.
    • Choose a list of words, phrases or emojis you want to hide from your profile and type them in the box.
    • Click Save below it.
    Using a computer

    Using a computer gives you deeper control over social media settings that are harder to find on a phone. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    How to clean up your Instagram feed

    Primary device: Phone only

    Instagram does not currently offer a reliable, universal option to reset its algorithm. Feed control on Instagram is manual and behavior-based. That means the app learns from what you hide, mute, unfollow and ignore.

    Tell Instagram what you do not want to see (phone)

    On posts that miss the mark:

    • Tap the three-dot menu
    • Select Not interested, Mute or Unfollow, depending on what appears

    Use this consistently. Instagram responds more to repeated signals than one-off actions.

    Fine-tune who appears in your feed (phone)

    Visit accounts directly and tap Following to manage how their content shows up.

    From here, you can:

    • Mute posts or stories
    • Add or remove Favorites
    • Restrict interactions
    • Unfollow the account

    These actions immediately influence future recommendations.

    Review account-level controls (phone)

    Open Settings and review:

    • Muted accounts
    • Blocked accounts
    • Close Friends

    Cleaning up these lists helps reduce clutter and repetitive content.

    When a new Instagram account makes sense

    If your feed still feels off after manual cleanup, starting fresh is the most effective reset.

    To do this:

    • Log out and create a new account
    • Follow only accounts you truly want to see
    • Avoid mass-following during setup

    Instagram’s algorithm is heavily influenced by early behavior, so a slow, intentional start matters.

    Some users may hear about an Instagram “reset” feature, but as of now, it is not consistently available across accounts.

    Fine-tune who you see (phone)

    Tap the three-dot menu on posts to unfollow or favorite accounts.

    From any profile, tap Following to:

    • Add Close Friend
    • Add Favorite
    • Mute posts or stories
    • Restrict interactions

    Unfollow

    Under Settings, review:

    • Muted accounts
    • Blocked accounts
    • Close Friends
    Instagram app on iPhone alongside other apps.

    Instagram’s feed is trained by what you hide, mute and unfollow, not by a single reset button. (iStock)

    How to reset your TikTok For You page

    Primary device: Phone only

    Train the feed gradually (phone)

    • Press and hold on a video
    • Tap Not Interested

    Consistency matters here.

    Remove past likes (phone)

    • Go to Profile
    • Tap the heart icon
    • Unlike videos that may be influencing recommendations

    Refresh the entire feed (phone only)

    • Tap Profile
    • Tap the three-line menu
    • Go to Settings and Privacy > Content Preferences
    • Tap Refresh Your For You Feed
    • Confirm

    This resets recommendations but keeps your following list.

    For a total reset, unfollow accounts manually or start fresh with a new account.

    An iPhone screen with the TikTok app.

    TikTok’s For You page reacts quickly when you mark videos as not interested or clean up past likes. (iStock)

    How to reset YouTube recommendations

    Primary device: PC recommended

    Clear or limit watch history (PC, Mac and phone)

    On mobile:

    • Tap You
    • Tap the gear icon 
    • Select Manage All History
    • Tap DELETE

    On desktop:

    • Click your profile photo
    • Select Your Data in YouTube
    • Open YouTube Watch History
    • Click Manage History
    • Click DELETE

    From here, you can:

    • Delete today
    • Delete custom range 
    • Delete all time 

    Remove past feed feedback

    Primary device: PC or Mac

    This setting is easiest to access on a computer.

    • Go to YouTube.com and make sure you are signed in
    • Click your profile photo in the upper right
    • Select Your Data in YouTube
    • Scroll to the section labeled YouTube Watch History and click the right arrow 
    • Click Manage your YouTube Watch History
    • Click Saving Your Watch History 

    On the history page:

    • Scroll down until you see YouTube Customize Your Feed Feedback
    • Click Delete to remove past feedback selections

    This removes videos you previously told YouTube you wanted to see more of.

    5 TECH TERMS EVERY SMARTPHONE USER SHOULD KNOW

    Continue training the feed (PC, Mac and phone)

    On individual YouTube videos:

    • Click or tap the three-dot menu next to the video
    • Select Not interested

    Repeat this on videos that miss the mark. YouTube relies heavily on repeated feedback signals. This option is not consistently available on the YouTube mobile app. Use a computer for the best results.

    Reset subscriptions (PC, Mac and phone)

    Subscriptions heavily shape recommendations. Unsubscribe from channels you no longer watch. Rebuild your list intentionally.

    The YouTube homepage

    YouTube recommendations are driven by watch history, search history and subscriptions you may have forgotten about. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    How to reduce noise on X

    Primary device: PC preferred

    Adjust interests and ads (PC, Mac and phone)

    • Click your profile icon.
    • Go to Settings and Privacy
    • Click Privacy and Safety
    • Select Content You See
    • Open Interests

    Here, X lists topics it believes you are interested in.

    • Uncheck interests you no longer care about
    • There is no “unselect all” option
    • Changes must be made one by one

    This affects both recommended posts and ads.

    Adjust ad personalization settings (PC, Mac and phone)

    This is where “Ads Preferences” actually lives.

    • Click or tap your profile icon
    • Go to Settings and Privacy
    • Select Privacy and Safety
    • Scroll down and click Ads Preferences

    From here:

    • Turn off Personalized ads
    • Review Ad categories and disable what you can
    • Turn off Ads based on inferred identity, if shown

    X does not allow full ad removal, but these steps reduce targeting.

    Train the feed as you scroll (PC, Mac and phone)

    On posts or ads you do not want to see again:

    • Click or tap the three-dot menu
    • Choose Not interested, Block, or Mute, depending on what appears
    • Also:
    • Unfollow accounts that no longer add value
    • Block advertisers directly when possible

    Repeated feedback matters more than occasional actions.

    When starting a new X account makes sense

    X’s algorithm is less forgiving than most platforms. If your feed feels irreparable, the most effective reset is:

    • Creating a new account
    • Following only accounts you truly want
    • Avoiding mass follows early on

    Early behavior heavily shapes long-term recommendations. X offers fewer feed controls than most platforms, so changes may feel slower and less dramatic.

    Person holds a phone

    Small, consistent actions on your phone can gradually retrain algorithms and reduce daily feed fatigue. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    How to clean up Threads

    Works on PC, Mac and phone

    Control what appears in For You

    • On the For You feed:
    • Click the three-dot menu
    • Mark posts as not interested, mute or block

    Use Hidden Words (PC and phone)

    • Open Settings
    • Go to Hidden Words
    • Add words, phrases or emojis separated by commas

    These filters apply across Threads and Instagram.

    How to make LinkedIn useful again

    Primary device: PC recommended

    Switch to recent posts (PC and Mac)

    • At the top of your feed, click Sort by: Top
    • Change it to Recent
    • To make it permanent:
    • Go to Me
    • Click Settings and Privacy 
    • Select Preferred Feed View
    • Choose Most recent posts
    • Click the left arrow to save

    Reduce ad targeting (PC and Mac)

    • Go to Settings and Privacy
    • Open Advertising Data
    • Select Interests and Traits
    • Turn off categories you do not want

    Aggressively train the feed (PC, Mac and phone)

    On unwanted posts:

    • Click the three-dot menu
    • Select Not relevant or Not interested 
    • Under My Network, review Followers and Following and unfollow accounts that add noise.

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    Kurt’s key takeaways

    Social media feels overwhelming when it runs on autopilot. A few minutes of cleanup can dramatically change what you see. Algorithms respond to clarity. The clearer your signals, the better your feed becomes. You do not need to quit social media to enjoy it again. You just need to take control.

    If your feed reflects your behavior, what does yours reveal about how you spend your attention right now? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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    Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com.  All rights reserved.

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • Instagram boss defends excessive use, AI researchers ring alarm bells – Tech Digest

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    The head of Instagram     has defended his platform against claims it caused mental health damage to minors, arguing in a California court that even seemingly excessive use of social media does not equal an addiction. Adam Mosseri, who has led Instagram for eight years, testified in the landmark trial that began this week in Los Angeles, making him the first high-profile executive to appear. It is expected to last six weeks, and serve as a test of legal arguments aimed at holding tech firms accountable for impacts on young people. BBC 

    The world is in peril,” warned the former head of Anthropic’s Safeguards Research team as he headed for the exit. A researcher for OpenAI, similarly on the way out, said that the technology has “a potential for manipulating users in ways we don’t have the tools to understand, let alone prevent.” They’re part of a wave of artificial intelligence researchers and executives who aren’t just leaving their employers — they’re loudly ringing the alarm bell on the way out. CNN

    Decades after the first demonstration of brain computer interfaces, we have reached a “tipping point” in creating the first reliable devices that can read our thoughts, according to the man who pioneered the technology. Professor John Donoghue, who developed BrainGate – the first “brain chip” – at Brown University in Rhode Island, has just shared in the Queen Elizabeth Prize, the world’s preeminent engineering award, in recognition of his work to “unlock” the minds of people with paralysis. Sky News 

    The person behind an anonymous social media account that posts AI videos of UK politicians has been identified as a man who has spent time in prison for multiple hate crimes directed towards Jewish people. Joshua Bonehill-Paine was identified by Channel 4 News as the owner of Crewkerne Gazette, a satirical X account that created AI videos depicting politicians such as Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham apparently singing popular songs from artists such as Amy Winehouse, Barry Manilow and Elton John with altered, politically themed lyrics. Guardian

    Ring’s new Search Party feature has once again drawn backlash for the company. A 30-second ad that aired during Sunday’s Super Bowl showed Ring cameras “surveilling” neighborhoods to locate a lost dog. In the current political climate, a prime-time ad celebrating neighborhood surveillance struck a nerve. People voiced concerns across social media that the AI-powered technology Ring uses to identify dogs could soon be used to search for humans. Combined with Ring’s recent rollout of its new facial recognition capability, it feels like a short leap for a pet-finding feature to be turned into a tool for state surveillance. The Verge 

    Image: Foundry

    Apple has just released iOS 26.3 to iPhones everywhere, and as expected, it’s a relatively small update. With iOS 26.4 already on the horizon, and rumored to introduce substantial changes, including a Gemini-powered Siri, this release is more about incremental improvements that set the stage for big upcoming changes. That said, iOS 26.3 still introduces a few notable additions, especially when it comes to device switching, privacy, and new capabilities for users in the EU. Read on as we break down everything new in iOS 26.3. MacWorld 


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  • 149 million passwords exposed in massive credential leak

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    It has been a rough start to the year for password security. A massive database containing 149 million stolen logins and passwords was found publicly exposed online. 

    The data included credentials tied to an estimated 48 million Gmail accounts, along with millions more from popular services. Cybersecurity researcher Jeremiah Fowler, who discovered the database, confirmed it was not password-protected or encrypted. Anyone who found it could have accessed the data. 

    Here is what we know so far and what you should do next.

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    AI WEARABLE HELPS STROKE SURVIVORS SPEAK AGAIN

    A publicly exposed database left millions of usernames and passwords accessible to anyone who found it online. (Wei Leng Tay/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

    What was found in the exposed database

    The database contained 149,404,754 unique usernames and passwords. It totaled roughly 96 GB of raw credential data. Fowler said the exposed files included email addresses, usernames, passwords and direct login URLs for accounts across many platforms. Some records also showed signs of info-stealing malware, which silently captures credentials from infected devices. 

    Importantly, this was not a new breach of Google, Meta or other companies. Instead, the database appears to be a compilation of credentials stolen over time from past breaches and malware infections. That distinction matters, but the risk to users remains real.

    Which accounts appeared most often

    Based on estimates shared by Fowler, the following services had the highest number of credentials in the exposed database.

    • 48 million – Gmail
    • 17 million – Facebook
    • 6.5 million – Instagram
    • 4 million – Yahoo Mail
    • 3.4 million – Netflix
    • 1.5 million – Outlook
    • 1.4 million – .edu email accounts
    • 900,000 – iCloud Mail
    • 780,000 – TikTok
    • 420,000 – Binance
    • 100,000 – OnlyFans

    Email accounts dominated the dataset, which matters because access to email often unlocks other accounts. A compromised inbox can be used to reset passwords, access private documents, read years of messages and impersonate the account holder. That is why Gmail appearing so frequently in this database raises concerns beyond any single service.

    SUPER BOWL SCAMS SURGE IN FEBRUARY AND TARGET YOUR DATA

    Man typing

    Email accounts appeared most often in the leaked data, which is especially concerning because inbox access can unlock many other accounts. (Felix Zahn/Photothek via Getty Images)

    Why the exposed database creates serious security risks

    This exposed database was not abandoned or forgotten. The number of records increased while Fowler was investigating it, which suggests the malware feeding it was still active. There was also no ownership information attached to the database. After multiple attempts, Fowler reported it directly to the hosting provider. It took nearly a month before the database was finally taken offline. During that time, anyone with a browser could have searched it. That reality raises the stakes for everyday users.

    This was not a traditional hack or company breach

    Hackers did not break into Google or Meta systems. Instead, malware infected individual devices and harvested login details as people typed them or stored them in browsers. This type of malware is often spread through fake software updates, malicious email attachments, compromised browser extensions or deceptive ads. Once a device is infected, simply changing passwords does not solve the problem unless the malware is removed.

    TIKTOK AFTER THE US SALE: WHAT CHANGED AND HOW TO USE IT SAFELY

    Facebook login

    Researchers believe infostealing malware collected the credentials, silently harvesting logins from infected devices over time. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

    How to protect your accounts after a massive password leak

    This is the most important part. Take these steps even if everything seems fine right now. Credential leaks like this often surface weeks or months later.

    1) Stop reusing passwords immediately

    Password reuse is one of the biggest risks exposed by this database. If attackers get one working login, they often test it across dozens of sites automatically. Change reused passwords first, starting with email, financial and cloud accounts. Each account should have its own unique password. Consider using a password manager, which securely stores and generates complex passwords, reducing the risk of password reuse. 

    Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

    Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.

    2) Switch to passkeys where available

    Passkeys replace passwords with device-based authentication tied to biometrics or hardware. That means there is nothing for malware to steal. Gmail and many major platforms already support passkeys, and adoption is growing fast. Turning them on now removes a major attack surface.

    3) Enable two-factor authentication on every account

    Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a second checkpoint, even if a password is exposed. Use authenticator apps or hardware keys instead of SMS when possible. This step alone can stop most account takeover attempts tied to stolen credentials.

    4) Scan devices for malware with strong antivirus software

    Changing passwords will not help if malware is still on your device. Install strong antivirus software and run a full system scan. Remove anything flagged as suspicious before updating passwords or security settings. Keep your operating system and browsers fully updated as well.

    The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

    Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

    5) Review account activity and login history

    Most major services show recent login locations, devices and sessions. Look for unfamiliar activity, especially logins from new countries or devices. Sign out of all sessions if the option is available and reset credentials right away if anything looks off.

    6) Use a data removal service to reduce exposure

    Stolen credentials often get combined with data scraped from data broker sites. These profiles can include addresses, phone numbers, relatives and work history. Using a data removal service helps reduce the amount of personal information criminals can pair with leaked logins. Less exposed data makes phishing and impersonation attacks harder to pull off.

    While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

    Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

    Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

    7) Close accounts you no longer use

    Old accounts are easy targets because people forget to secure them. Close unused services and delete accounts tied to outdated app subscriptions or trials. Fewer accounts mean fewer chances for attackers to get in.

    Kurt’s key takeaways

    This exposed database is another reminder that credential theft has become an industrial-scale operation. Criminals move fast and often prioritize speed over security. The good news is that simple steps still work. Unique passwords, strong authentication, malware protection and basic cyber hygiene go a long way. Do not panic, but do not ignore this either.

    If your email account was compromised today, how many other accounts would fall with it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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    Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.

    Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.  

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • Social Platforms Are Moving Onto TV Screens—Industry Experts Explain Why

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    As linear TV fades, social platforms are racing to become the next big screen for entertainment. Nikos Pekiaridis/NurPhoto via Getty Images

    Is social media the new TV? Cable and linear television have been in decline for years, especially as younger generations consume more entertainment on their phones. In response, traditional studios and streaming services have been experimenting with social platforms. Peacock tested the waters by uploading clips from its comedy Killing It to TikTok, while Paramount broke its 2006 film Mean Girls into several parts on the same platform.

    At the same time, microdramas—short, bite-sized video series designed for mobile viewing—have surged in popularity. Networks like TelevisaUnivision and Telemundo have been launching original microdramas. Earlier this month at CES, Disney announced it would begin releasing “microcontent” on Disney+. But what happens when social media doesn’t just live on phones and starts moving into traditional TV screens and living rooms?

    In December, Instagram announced it was testing an “Instagram for TV” app that allows users to watch Reels on their televisions. TikTok previously made a similar push with TV apps, before they were discontinued due to compliance with new laws.

    On the advertiser side, Pinterest recently acquired connected TV (CTV) ad-buying platform tvScientific, signaling that the company believes advertising dollars may start shifting toward living room viewing for its platform.

    That shift is already underway. Social video is now the second-most-watched video type on TVs, according to research from Parks Associates.

    Jennifer Kent, SVP and principal analyst at Parks Associates, said this trend is blurring the lines between traditional video media and social video strategies, particularly as YouTube, Instagram and TikTok push for more TV-based viewing.

    Kent added that this also correlates with the growth of the creator economy, as traditional media companies partner with creators or launch initiatives dedicated to creator content. Amazon MGM Studios, for example, has collaborated with popular creators like MrBeast on projects such as Beast Games to produce more premium programming. YouTube has also announced efforts to introduce more episodic formats for creator content.

    “Lines are blurring all over,” Kent said. “Everybody on the big screen wants to mimic what’s happening on social media, and everyone on social media wants to be on the big screen.”

    She added, “The important impact of all of these social video platforms coming to the big screen is the way that they are raising expectations for everybody else that’s on the big screen—to be more interactive, to be more creative with formats, to engage with new creators that can speak to audiences in different ways.”

    The growing pains of social media platforms

    The roughly $15 billion decline of the U.S. linear TV market has accelerated this experimentation, said Max Willens, a principal analyst at eMarketer. However, he noted that growing competition has also made social platforms more sensitive to slowing growth. For years, platforms could rely on two assumptions: that more users would join each year, and that those users would spend more time on their apps. That is no longer the case.

    According to eMarketer, time spent on social media in the U.S. is flatlining and is expected to begin gently declining starting next year.

    “Combine social media platforms realizing they don’t have the easy path toward incremental growth with the increasingly spread-out competition, and they face a lot of pressure to try to establish a beachhead on television screens as the budgets that used to go to linear advertisers come up for grabs,” Willens told Observer.

    Still, moving into living rooms isn’t a new idea. Willens pointed to YouTube, which launched as a desktop platform, became mobile-first, and is now a major force in TV viewing.

    YouTube has also said that more than 150 million Americans watch the platform on TV screens. Nielsen’s Media Distributor Gauge report found that YouTube captured 13.4 percent of TV viewing time, outpacing Disney’s 9.4 percent share. eMarketer research shows that Americans now spend roughly equal time watching YouTube on TV and on their phones.

    “That balance is going to persist over the next couple of years,” Willens predicted. “When you add all those things together, it’s not hard to understand why the social platforms are trying to position themselves on the biggest screen in the house.”

    Looking ahead, Willens said both media companies and social platforms will need to adjust their strategies as viewing habits continue to shift.

    “They’re all just screens at the end of the day, but it’s not like television has gone away,” he said. “Televisions are not just these big dusty boxes that our grandparents are looking at. They are still central hubs of leisure time for consumers of every age. So, advertisers and media companies have to figure out what’s different about that consumption and adjust their strategies accordingly.”

    Social Platforms Are Moving Onto TV Screens—Industry Experts Explain Why

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  • Photographic memories of love and grief

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    After photographer Anjali Pinto lost her husband, Jacob Johnson (also a photographer) just 16 months after getting married, she turned to Instagram, posting images of him, and of them – each an insight into her daily grief. Her Instagram following grew to more than 51,000, many of whom were inspired to write their own stories of love and loss. Correspondent Michelle Miller talked with Pinto at an exhibition of photographs by her and Jacob, and talked about the power of images to bring strangers together.

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  • What Do Cruz and Romeo Beckham Think of Their Family Feud

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    “I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life,” wrote Brooklyn Beckham on Instagram. “I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life,” clarifying—once and for all—his position in a family rift that appears to have widened between the Beckhams’ eldest son and his parents, David and Victoria Beckham. To those quick to blame Nicola Peltz, the actress Brooklyn has been married to since 2022, he countered that the prevailing narrative is exactly backwards. For most of his life, he said, it was his parents who shaped and managed his image: “All my life my parents have controlled the narratives in the press about our family. Performative posts on social media, family events, and inauthentic relationships have been a constant in the life I was born into.”

    As the drama spills into the open, attention has turned to how Brooklyn’s siblings are responding. In addition to their eldest, Victoria and David share three other children: Romeo, 23, Cruz, 20, and Harper Seven, 14. While the youngest is, of course, too young to comment, the boys have not explicitly weighed in either—though subtle signals have not gone unnoticed.

    Cruz, for his part, shared an Instagram story showing himself drinking a can of Guaraná, soundtracked by his mother’s 2001 single “Not Such an Innocent Girl.” The song—long remembered for its sultry undertones—includes lyrics that gesture toward duality and misperception. “First impressions can be wrong / So let me clear what’s going on / Baby, I’m not who you think I am,” Victoria sings in the opening verse. Whether Cruz intended the post as a nod to Brooklyn’s claim that the public version of their mother masks a more complicated reality—or as a cautionary message aimed at his brother—is open to interpretation. What is certain is that the song, from Victoria’s self-titled debut album, surged to the top of the U.K. streaming charts shortly afterward. Cruz later posted a second story, revealing what appears to be the title of an upcoming track of his own: “Lonelist Boy.” The implication—that he may be feeling isolated or adrift amid the family turmoil—was hard to miss.

    Romeo, meanwhile, appears to be distancing himself from the feud altogether. He was photographed in Paris with his partner, DJ and model Kim Turnbull, attending a party at the Hôtel Costes during fashion week. Brooklyn, too, seems intent on projecting calm. Shortly after sharing his statement, he was photographed walking hand in hand with Peltz on a beach in Malibu, the couple strolling quietly with their dog.

    As each of the Beckham children processes the rupture in their own way, Brooklyn’s words linger—perhaps as both explanation and warning—for Cruz, Romeo, and Harper alike: “I grew up with overwhelming anxiety. For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared. I wake up every morning grateful for the life I chose and have found peace and relief.”

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  • Snapchat owner settles social media addiction lawsuit days before trial – Tech Digest

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    Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, has reached a settlement in a high-profile social media addiction lawsuit just days before it was scheduled to go to trial in Los Angeles.

    The deal, revealed during a California Superior Court hearing, marks a significant turn in one of the first major legal challenges to how platform algorithms affect youth mental health.

    While the specific financial terms of the settlement remain confidential, Snap informed the BBC that all parties involved were “pleased to have been able to resolve this matter in an amicable manner.”

    The agreement removes Snap as a defendant in this specific case, though the company remains involved in other consolidated addiction lawsuits currently moving through the court system.

    The lawsuit was brought by a 19-year-old woman, identified as K.G.M., who alleged that the intentional design of social media platforms created a compulsive need for use that severely impacted her mental health.

    Despite Snap’s exit, the trial is still set to proceed on January 27 against the remaining three defendants: Meta (the parent of Instagram), ByteDance (TikTok), and Alphabet (YouTube).

    The case is being closely monitored by legal experts because it challenges Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

    While social media firms have historically used this law to shield themselves from liability for third-party content, plaintiffs now argue that the platforms’ actual design – including notifications and algorithm choices – is a defective product that causes harm.

    Until this week’s settlement, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel was expected to testify. Now, the spotlight remains on Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, who is still slated to take the stand as jury selection begins.

    For latest tech stories go to TechDigest.tv

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  • The FTC isn’t giving up on its antitrust case against Meta

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    The Federal Trade Commission lost its antitrust case against Meta last year, but the regulator hasn’t given up on its attempts to punish the social media company for its acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram. The FTC is appealing a ruling last year in which a federal judge found that the government hadn’t proven that Meta is currently operating as a monopoly.

    “Meta has maintained its dominant position and record profits for well over a decade not through legitimate competition, but by buying its most significant competitive threats,” the FTC’s Bureau of Competition Director Daniel Guarnera said in a statement. “The Trump-Vance FTC will continue fighting its historic case against Meta to ensure that competition can thrive across the country to the benefit of all Americans and U.S. businesses.”

    The FTC originally filed antitrust charges against Facebook in 2020 during President Donald Trump’s first term in office. The government argued that by acquiring apps it once competed with, Instagram and WhatsApp, the company had depressed competition in the space and ultimately hurt consumers. A trial last year saw testimony from several current and former executives, including CEO Mark Zuckerberg and former COO Sheryl Sandberg, who spoke at length about the pressure to compete with TikTok.

    US District Judge James Boasberg was ultimately persuaded by Meta’s arguments, writing that the success of YouTube and TikTok prevented Meta from currently “holding a monopoly” even if the company had acted monopolistically in the past. If the FTC had won, it could have tried to force Meta to undo its acquisitions of WhatsApp and Instagram. Should it be successful in its appeal, that remedy could once again be on the table.

    News of the FTC’s plan to appeal is also a blow to Zuckerberg, who has spent the last year courting Trump and hyping Meta’s plans to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on AI infrastructure in the United States. In a statement, Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said that the original ruling was “correct,” and that “Meta will remain focused on innovating and investing in America.”

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    Karissa Bell

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  • Meghan Markle Dips Into Viral ‘2026 is the New 2016’ Trend

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    It’s not just your friends from college. Even Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle has leapt into the “2026 is the new 2016” trend that’s sweeping social media. But while most of us are dredging up grainy, 10-year-old shots and videos intended to establish that 2016 was a great year worthy of nostalgia, Meghan Markle might have more reason than most to look back, as 2016 was the year she met her now-husband, Prince Harry.

    These throwback posts have become almost a viral obligation, one that not even royalty can escape. In the Duchess of Sussex’s case the post was a short black-and-white video of the couple dancing barefoot on the grass—but the video, itself, wasn’t from ten years ago, as Markle notes it was shot by the Meghan and Harry’s daughter, Princess Lilibet Diana, who was born in 2021.

    Meghan Markle’s 2017 Vanity Fair cover.

    Photograph by Peter Lindbergh.

    Swipe, and you’ll see a photo of the pair in Botswana, which the couple visited together just weeks after they began dating in July of 2016. “When 2026 looks just like 2016,” the post’s caption reads.

    For Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, 2016 was indeed a watershed year. They met through a mutual friend and began dating in secret, six months before their bond became public. The couple married on May 19, 2018, in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. The following year they became parents of their firstborn son, Prince Archie Harrison, born on May 6, 2019.

    Image may contain Prince George of Cambridge Person Adult Clothing Formal Wear Suit Accessories Tie Face and Head

    Meghan Markle, Princess Charlotte, Prince George, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and Queen Camilla as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth.

    Justin Goff Photos/Getty Images

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    Antonella Rossi

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  • Harry Styles’s New Album Title Sounds Like Solid Life Advice

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    With gratitude to Benson Boone for keeping the seat warm these past few years, Harry Styles appears to be ready to reclaim his rightful place as crown prince of the pop girlies (who also happens to dance like a car dealership blowup guy who has been freed of tethers for flip mobility purposes, which, to be clear, is a positive thing). Styles announced the title, cover art, and release date of his new album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, on Thursday via an Instagram post.

    The album, his first since 2022’s Harry’s House, will be released on March 6. The cover art he shared features Styles with a cropped haircut putting on sunglasses in the lower left corner, while at the center of the image, a disco ball hangs from the heavens, illuminating a dusky outdoor vista.

    According to Rolling Stone, the album will have 12 tracks, and is produced by Kid Harpoon. According to one reddit commentor, it is a “Lana del Rey ass title.”

    The new album announcement comes hot on the heels of Monday’s reveal that Styles has booked a second Madison Square Garden residency, though details such as timing and number of shows have not yet been announced. In late summer 2022, Styles played 15 sold out concerts at the arena as part of his Love On Tour shows.

    Most importantly of all, this Harry-ssance is another proof point in the working theory that time is a flat circle and that 2026 is, in fact, just 2016: The Sequel. Consider: In 2016, Styles was gearing up for a solo album (his first). 2026: New solo album coming. 2016: The year that his signature flowing mane of hair got the chop, to many fans’ dismay. 2026: That album photo has a breezy lil short ‘do, no? 2016: Styles was in Dunkirk. 2026: Real life has us teetering on the brink of civil and/or international warfare pretty much every day. 2016: Benny Boone turned 14. 2026: Thanks for keeping the throne warm, champ. We owe you one.

    Representatives for Harry Styles did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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  • Instagram password reset surge: Protect your account

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    If your inbox suddenly shows an Instagram “Reset your password” email you never requested, you are not alone. A wave of unexpected reset messages is hitting people right now, and attackers are betting you will panic, click fast and make a mistake.

    Here is the tricky part. Many of these emails are real. They can come directly from Instagram because someone triggered the legitimate password reset flow. That makes the alert feel extra convincing, even when you did nothing wrong.

    Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report 
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    FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM ARE USING YOUR DATA TO TRAIN AI: LEARN HOW TO PROTECT IT

    Unexpected Instagram password reset emails can look completely legitimate, which is why so many users are caught off guard during this surge. (Cyverguy.com)

    Why Instagram password reset emails are surging

    This surge is happening because the reset emails themselves can be real, even when the intent behind them is not. Instead of building fake phishing pages or using malware, attackers take advantage of Instagram’s normal account recovery system.

    The process is simple. An attacker enters your username or email into Instagram’s real password reset form. Instagram automatically sends a legitimate reset email to you. The attacker then waits to see how you react.

    At this point, your account has not been hacked. The risk comes from what happens next. Attackers are counting on common mistakes, such as clicking the reset button and rushing through the process, reusing a weak password, getting redirected to a fake follow-up page or falling for a second scam email that arrives soon after.

    That is why this tactic works as a stress test. It creates urgency and pressure, even though nothing has been compromised yet.

    Why attackers love this tactic

    This is classic social engineering. The attacker does not need to outsmart Instagram. They need to outsmart you in a stressed moment. A reset email creates urgency. It also feels official. That combination leads people to click first and think second, which is exactly the outcome attackers want. You can treat these surprise reset emails as an early warning system. If you get one:

    • Someone may know your username or email
    • Your account could be on a target list from a leak or scrape
    • Your current security setup will decide whether this stays annoying or turns into a takeover

    If an email pressures you to act immediately, threatens account deletion or asks for extra information, treat it as suspicious.

    The BreachForums leak connection

    The timing of this surge has raised fresh concerns. Reports point to data tied to roughly 17.5 million Instagram accounts being shared on BreachForums, an underground forum where cybercriminals trade and discuss stolen data. The alleged post appeared in early January 2026, which lines up with when many users began reporting a sudden wave of password reset emails, sometimes receiving several in a short period of time.

    This timing alone does not prove a direct connection. However, leaked usernames or email addresses can make it much easier for attackers to target large numbers of accounts at once, which is exactly what this kind of reset spam depends on. We reached out to Meta for comment but did not receive a response before our deadline. 

    We reached out to Meta for comment, and a spokesperson for the company told CyberGuy, “We fixed an issue that allowed an external party to request password reset emails for some Instagram users. We want to reassure everyone there was no breach of our systems and people’s Instagram accounts remain secure. People can disregard these emails and we apologize for any confusion this may have caused.” 

    How to tell if the reset email is legitimate

    A legitimate Instagram reset email can still be part of an attack attempt. So your goal is not “confirm it is real,” it is “avoid reacting in a risky way.” Instagram’s own guidance boils down to this:

    • A reset email alone does not mean your account is compromised
    • If you did not request it, do not use the link
    • Use Instagram’s official paths in the app to review security and report suspicious messages

    Also, if you get emails about changing your account email address, Instagram says those messages can include a way to reverse the change, which can help you recover if someone broke in.

    Instagram icon on an iPhone sitting on table.

    These real-looking messages are designed to create urgency and push people to click before slowing down and checking their account security. (Cyverguy.com)

    What a real Instagram password reset email looks like

    A legitimate reset email usually has these elements:

    • Sender: Comes from an official Instagram domain, such as security@mail.instagram.com
    • Subject line: Often says “Reset your Instagram password” or “Password reset request”
    • Instagram branding: Logo at the top with clean formatting
    • Call to action button: A button like “Reset Password”
    • Reassurance text: A line explaining that if you did not request this, you can ignore the email and nothing will change
    • Safety option: Language telling you how to report the email if you did not initiate it

    This is why the current surge is so effective. The emails look normal and arrive from real Instagram systems. 

    META ENDS FACT-CHECKING PROGRAM AS ZUCKERBERG VOWS TO RESTORE FREE EXPRESSION ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM

    What Instagram reset alerts can look like inside the app

    You may also see security messages directly in Instagram, such as:

    • Login attempt alerts
    • Notifications about a password reset request
    • Prompts asking you to confirm a login from a new device

    These in-app alerts are generally safer to interact with than email links, especially during a surge.

    What scammers rely on

    Attackers are counting on one thing: panic. When users see a reset email they did not request, many rush to click before reading the fine print. That fast reaction is what turns a harmless reset request into a real account takeover.

    What to do right now if you get a reset email you did not request

    So, what should you do if one of these password reset emails lands in your inbox? Take a breath first. Then do this.

    1) Do not click the button in the email and use strong antivirus software 

    Even if the message looks real, treat it like a hot surface. If you want to change your password, do it from the Instagram app or by typing Instagram’s address into your browser yourself. Strong antivirus software adds another layer of protection here. It can help block malicious links, fake login pages and follow-up scams that often appear during a reset email surge.

    The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

    Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

    2) Check your Instagram security activity in the app

    Open Instagram and look for signs someone tried to log in:

    • Unknown devices
    • Login alerts you do not recognize
    • Changes to email, phone number or linked accounts

    If anything looks off, remove the device and update your credentials.

    3) Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) and keep it on

    Two-factor authentication (2FA) is the biggest roadblock for account takeover. Even if someone knows your password, they still need your code to get in from an unfamiliar device. Instagram has pushed 2FA heavily for higher-risk accounts and urges users to enable it. Use an authenticator app if you can. It is often safer than SMS.

    4) Change your password if you feel unsure

    If you suspect someone guessed your password, or you reused it elsewhere, change it. Make it long and unique. A password manager can help you generate and store strong passwords without reusing them. Then update the password on your email account too. Your email inbox controls most password resets, so make sure it also uses a strong, unique password.

    Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com/Passwords) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

    Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.

    5) Use a data removal service to reduce targeting

    Password reset surges often follow data leaks. When your email address and personal details appear on data broker sites, attackers can target you more easily. A data removal service helps limit where your information shows up online. By shrinking your digital footprint, you reduce the chances of being singled out during large-scale reset email attacks.

    While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

    Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

    Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.

    Someone with a hoodie types suspiciously on a laptop that displays a dark screen.

    The safest response is to avoid email links, open the Instagram app directly and review login activity and security settings instead. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

    6) Watch for follow-up scams

    After a reset surge, criminals often switch tactics. Next, you may see:

    • Fake “Instagram Support” emails
    • DMs claiming your account will be deleted
    • Login approval prompts you did not trigger

    Slow down and verify everything inside the app.

    Kurt’s key takeaways

    A spike in Instagram password reset emails feels scary because it looks like someone is already inside your account. Often, they are not. Still, the surge is a reminder to tighten your basics. Use the app to check security. Turn on two-factor authentication. Change the passwords you reused. Most importantly, do not let an unexpected email rush you into the one click that hands over access.

    Have you received an unexpected Instagram password reset email recently, and how did you handle it? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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    Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. 

    Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

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  • Instagram wants you to personalize your Reels algorithm for 2026

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    Last month, Instagram began rolling out a new set of controls that allowed users to personalize the topics recommended to them by the Reels algorithm. Now, Meta is making that feature available to all English users of the app globally, along with the ability to highlight their top topics for the coming year.

    The feature begins with a selection of topics Meta’s AI thinks you’re interested in based on your recent activity, and has controls to remove them or add new categories. There’s also a separate field for identifying what you want to see less of, and a new “build your 2026 algorithm” that allows you to highlight three topics in particular.

    Meta’s algorithm tagged a skiing clip as “snowboarding.” (Screenshot via Instagram)

    I don’t yet have the 2026-specific control yet, but I was able to tweak some of my preferred topics and was surprised at how quickly the algorithm seemed to adjust. I added “snowboarding” as a topic and then later, when I clicked over to Reels, the first clip I saw was tagged “snowboarding.” Unfortunately, the video wasn’t actually about snowboarding — it featured a clip of a freestyle skiing event — so Meta’s systems might still need a little work at classifying the actual content. But given how sensitive the Reels algorithm can be, it’s nice to have a way of opting out of interests even if you briefly went down a  rabbit hole.

    The feature won’t, however, let you ask to see fewer ads. I tried to add “ads” to my “what you want to see less of” list and received an error. “No results found. Try another topic or interest.” I was able to successfully add “sponsored content” and “AI” to my “see less” list, though I’m pretty sure the latter will affect videos about AI rather than those made with the help of it.

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    Karissa Bell

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  • Did You Get an Instagram Password Reset Email Recently? This Might Be the Very Unpleasant Reason

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    The cybersecurity company Malwarebytes just noticed something unpleasant happening over on the dark web:

    Cybercriminals stole the sensitive information of 17.5 million Instagram accounts, including usernames, physical addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and more. This data is available for sale on the dark web and can be abused by cybercriminals.

    [image or embed]

    — Malwarebytes (@malwarebytes.com) January 9, 2026 at 8:34 AM

    Did you receive any unexpected password reset emails from Instagram lately? If the comments on a Reddit post about this breach from a few hours ago are any indication, you’re not alone.

    It seems that the physical addresses, phone numbers, email addresses and other information attached to the accounts of 17.5 million Instagram users is available for sale in the sketchier parts of the internet.

    Apparently Malwarebytes performs sweeps of the dark net for items like this, and surmised that this cache of personal details is tied a 2024 API breach that likely allowed an attacker to pry the information out of Instagram.

    Some steps you can take to ensure that your information is safe include:

    • Resetting your password right now
    • Turning on two-factor authentication if you haven’t already
    • Permanently deleting all social media accounts from all platforms

    So far Instagram does not appear to have published a statement about this issue. Gizmodo reached out to Meta for comment, and will update if we hear back. 

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    Mike Pearl

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