Instagram Adds New Feature That Lets You Manage Third-Party App Permissions

Instagram now allows users to control which data they would want to share with third-party apps through its new security feature. The authorized parties are able to get access to personal information, including profile, username, account type, photos, and captions. In the exclusive hamburger icon of the app, there’s a section called “Apps and Websites,” where you can look through all the services that are exploiting your data. 

The move of Instagram derives from the fact that services such as photo printing or website building are asking users to import photos from the Facebook-owned social network. Such a provision has made it difficult for users to take full control of their personal data or be aware of the apps making use of their accounts. The app expects the new feature to clarify the process by showing all information third-party apps are requesting, in the meantime allowing users to dismiss their accesses.

Specifically, when Instagram users remove any third-party services, they will no longer have the right to use new data generated from users’ accounts. To activate the feature, users can navigate to the “Settings” tab, click on “Security,” and choose “Apps and Websites.”

It is worth noting that Instagram's plans to roll out the updates gradually in the next six months seem like an unusually long time. The social network usually needs less than a couple of weeks for the launch of its new features such as Instagram Story or Instagram Music. It’s such a mystery this time why it is taking its time preparing for that security feature.