Advertisement

Don’t share this hoax about ‘new Instagram rules’, it’s completely fake

London, UK - July 30, 2018: The buttons of the photo app Instagram, surrounded by WhatsApp, Facebook, Messages and other apps on the screen of an iPhone.
A hoax spread on Instagram this week (Getty)

Thousands of Instagram users - including the politician in charge of America’s nuclear weapons - have shared an Instagram scam warning about a new rule change.

The post claims that Instagram’s rules are changing tomorrow, allowing the Facebook-owned social network to use account holders' photos against them in court cases.

But it’s completely fake, a variation on a similar long-running hoax about Facebook changing its rules.

Among people sharing the hoax was Rick Perry, the US Secretary of State for Energy, in charge of America’s nuclear arsenal.

One user commented, ‘YOU HANDLE NUCLEAR BOMBS??????’

It's a hoax (Instagram)
It's a hoax (Instagram)

Hollywood actor Rob Lowe and R&B singer Usher both shared the meme, with the latter writing: ‘Better safe than sorry.’

The social network, which is owned by Facebook, has asserted that the viral post is fake, with head of Instagram Adam Mosseri tweeting: 'If you're seeing a meme claiming Instagram is changing its rules tomorrow, it's not true.'

READ MORE

How to make your Facebook account more private using new activity tool

Facebook ‘still has work to be done on bias against right wingers’

Contrary to the claims in the hoax, social media users who upload their photos or videos to Instagram still retain ownership of the copyright.

The trend prompted comedian Trevor Noah to fashion his own version, warning: 'Don't forget today start the new day of a hoax people fall for in the internet.

'If you want to stop this you must repost this message which is a real contract and you can tell it is very real because the grammar and speling is perfect.'

---Watch the latest videos from Yahoo UK---