The latest feature of Instagram can protect your post history from hackers. The app adds a new feature, recently removed, which adds an extra step before a post can be permanently removed from your account. The feature is similar to the ‘recently deleted’ folder in the Photos app on iOS: Delete a message and it will appear in a separate section of your profile for 30 days. These messages are not visible to anyone else, but will remain visible to the account owner in case you are thinking and want to repair them.
According to Instagram, it is also an extra protection against hackers who regularly target Instagram accounts. People whose accounts have been hacked have all their posts deleted before they can regain access, which can be a devastating loss for those who rely on their Instagram presence for their business or to keep up with family photos.
With the addition of ‘recently deleted’, Instagram says it will require users to verify their identity via text or email before they can recover or permanently delete a message. The extra step is essentially a form of two-step verification for clearing messages from the app (but, importantly, not a replacement for using two-factor authentication to protect your account in the first place).
Of course, if you are out of account due to a hack, you will not be able to access your deleted posts immediately. And getting back into a compromised Instagram account can be a challenge. But it will at least make it harder for a hacker to delete all your posts as you move through Instagram support.