Protecting Your Privacy: How to Turn Off Read Receipts on Instagram
Instagram gives you the option to disable read receipts. How to accomplish it, and maybe even why you should, are topics we’ll cover here.
It’s now almost impossible to picture our modern lives without some kind of social media. As of 2021, Instagram has more over a billion monthly active users, making it one of the most popular social networking sites. Despite Instagram’s many advantages, some users remain wary due to privacy worries. Many users are concerned about their privacy in relation to the read receipts feature.
A read receipt is a notification that someone has seen your post or communication. This feature has its uses, but it may also be annoying if you don’t want other people to know when you’ve read their messages. Thankfully, Instagram gives you the option to disable read receipts. How to accomplish it, and maybe even why you should, are topics we’ll cover here.
How to Turn off Read Receipts on Instagram
Instagram makes it simple to disable read receipts. This is the procedure:
Step 1: Open Instagram app
Get the Instagram app on your mobile device and launch it.
Step 2: Go to your profile
Then, select your image from the menu that appears in the rightmost corner of the display.
Step 3: Click on the hamburger menu icon
To access the menu, visit your profile page and click the three vertical dots in the upper right corner.
Step 4: Select “Settings”
Find the “Settings” option further down the menu and click it.
Step 5: Choose “Privacy”
Select “Privacy” from the “Account” menu.
Step 6: Find and select “Read receipts”
Below the “Read receipts” option, you’ll find the “Messages” section.
Step 7: Toggle off the switch
Last but not least, disable “Read receipts” by toggling the corresponding option. When read receipts are disabled, the toggle will transition from blue to grey.
Why You Might Want to Turn Off Read Receipts
There are a few scenarios in which you may wish to disable Instagram read receipts. A few examples:
To avoid people knowing when you’ve viewed their messages, you may safeguard your privacy by disabling read receipts. If you’re getting messages from individuals you don’t know or trust, or if you just don’t want people to know that you’ve seen their messages, this feature might come in handy.
Turning off read receipts will help you avoid some unpleasant encounters. For instance, if you get a message but don’t answer right away, the sender can interpret it as a sign that you’re ignoring them, even though you’ve really read the message. Disabling read receipts eliminates the potential for this kind of confusion.
Finally, disabling read receipts might be helpful in alleviating tension and anxiety. Turning off read receipts might offer you more time to react to messages without feeling hurried if you’re the kind of person who feels forced to answer fast.
Other Privacy Settings on Instagram
In addition to disabling read receipts, Instagram also provides access to a number of additional privacy controls. Some instances are as follows:
To hide the last time you used Instagram, turn off your activity status. Access the toggle under “Privacy” > “Activity Status” under “Settings.”
If you wish to restrict your interactions with a particular account, go to that account’s profile, click the ellipses (…) in the upper right corner, and then choose “Restrict.”
If you want to restrict who may tag or mention you in public postings, you can do so by going to “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Tags” and then choosing “Tagging” and “Mentions.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, Instagram’s read receipts have their uses but may sometimes be an annoyance. Shutting them off is a simple way to safeguard your privacy, avoid embarrassing situations, and calm your nerves. You may take charge of your social media experience and safeguard your privacy by investigating Instagram’s additional privacy options.