New Instagram Features Enhancing Social Engagement

Instagram has implemented a range of new features designed to reinvigorate social interaction on the platform. These updates include the long-awaited Repost button, an interactive location-sharing map, and a dedicated Friends tab within Reels. The rollout began globally on 6 August 2025, aiming to facilitate better content discovery, strengthen friendships, and enhance visibility for creators and brands.

Reception of the Changes

However, the response has not been universally positive. The modifications, most notably the repost feature, have sparked criticism on social media. Many users have claimed that Instagram appears to be imitating other platforms such as X (previously Twitter), TikTok, and Snapchat.

One user noted on X that Instagram seems to be borrowing ideas, mentioning, “First it was Stories from Snapchat, then Reels from TikTok, and now reposts from Twitter.”

What Does the New Repost Feature Offer?

The Repost button enables users to directly share public posts and Reels with their followers without resorting to screenshots or external apps. When content is reposted, it appears in a new Reposts tab on the user’s profile, presented like a standard post, complete with the option for a personal caption and credit to the original creator.

These reposts can also be displayed in followers’ feeds and may be featured in Instagram’s recommendation algorithms, significantly extending reach beyond the initial audience.

Instagram asserts that this update is part of a wider initiative to enhance social sharing among users. Internal documents unveiled during Meta’s 2025 antitrust trial revealed that a mere 7% of Instagram interactions involve content from friends, a stark contrast to TikTok and X, which thrive on reshares.

Benefits for Brands and Creators

For brands, the repost feature introduces an economical distribution channel that maintains original branding, links, and captions. This function makes it simpler for fans, employees, or collaborators to share a brand’s message with their own followers, fostering viral campaigns without relying solely on paid advertisements.

For creators, this feature presents a new opportunity for organic growth. Reposts from larger accounts could expose a micro-influencer or niche content creator to previously untapped audiences. Instagram plans to introduce Repost analytics within the Insights dashboard later this quarter to assist creators in monitoring reach and performance.

Nevertheless, some influencers have expressed reservations about potential reputation risks and visual clutter. Reposted content may disrupt the carefully curated look that many lifestyle influencers rely on, rendering their feeds more chaotic.

Instagram Map: Share Your World

The new Instagram Map feature integrates geolocation tools that allow users to:

• Share current locations with selected friends.
• Discover posts, Stories, and Reels linked to specific locales.
• Explore local content like concerts, events, and popular hangouts.

This feature is opt-in, offering detailed privacy settings and parental controls for supervised teen accounts. Users can access it through the top of the Direct Messages inbox, with an ongoing rollout in the US.

Friends Tab: Content from Your Inner Circle

The Friends tab in Reels provides users with a space to view what their friends are engaging with, including content they have liked, commented on, reposted, or created. This addition is intended to enhance conversations and shared experiences among close contacts.

Users have the ability to manage their visibility in this tab or mute activities from specific individuals, allowing for a degree of privacy in their interactions.

Addressing Copycat Criticism

Despite the practicality of these new features, many online users have highlighted their similarities to tools available on competing platforms:

• Reposts resemble X’s retweet and TikTok’s repost function.
• Instagram Stories were previously critiqued as a copy of Snapchat.
• Reels emerged as a response to TikTok’s dominance in short-form videos.

On TikTok, reposts appear in users’ For You feeds but not on profiles. Instagram’s method is more persistent, displaying reposts on a user’s public profile.

Some view these features as evolutionary, while others argue they reflect a lack of originality. Critics believe Instagram is compromising its unique identity by adopting features from competitors instead of creating new experiences.

The Wider Context

Instagram claims these updates aim to promote better sharing and more meaningful interactions on the platform. By facilitating content amplification, enabling users to discover nearby activities, and allowing insight into friends’ interests, the platform seeks to move away from passive scrolling towards genuine social engagement.

However, as Instagram aligns more closely in functionality with TikTok, X, and Snapchat, the challenge remains to provide these tools while preserving its distinct voice and retaining longstanding users.

Meta Found Guilty of Unlawfully Collecting Sensitive Menstrual and Fertility Data

In a landmark ruling regarding privacy, Meta has been found guilty of collecting sensitive menstrual and fertility data from Flo users without their awareness or consent. This decision stems from a class-action lawsuit initiated in 2021, which represents over 3.7 million users in the US who registered with the app between November 2016 and February 2019.

Details of the Case

The lawsuit disclosed that Meta’s software development kit (SDK) integrated within the Flo app transmitted “App Event” data back to Facebook whenever users interacted with specific features, especially those concerning fertility, such as the “trying to get pregnant” section. This data encompassed period dates, sexual activity, mental health insights, and additional personal information.

Reactions to the Verdict

Despite Meta’s assertion that it has never accessed personal health information and that it prohibits developers from transmitting such data, the jury reached a different conclusion.

Michael P. Canty and Carol C. Villegas, the lead attorneys for the plaintiffs, stated, “This verdict sends a clear message about the protection of digital health data and the responsibilities of Big Tech. Companies like Meta that covertly profit from users’ most intimate information must be held accountable.”

Other Defendants in the Lawsuit

Additional companies mentioned in the lawsuit, including Google, Flo itself, and analytics firms such as AppsFlyer and Flurry, opted to settle outside of court. Meta stood as the only defendant to contest the case at trial.

Meta’s Response

In reaction to the ruling, a spokesperson for Meta stated, “We vigorously disagree with this outcome and are exploring all legal options. The plaintiffs’ claims against Meta are simply false. User privacy is important to Meta, which is why we do not want health or other sensitive information and why our terms prohibit developers from sending any.”

Next Steps for Affected Users

Individuals impacted by the case will receive notifications via email or through the lawsuit’s official website, although details regarding compensation or subsequent actions have yet to be determined.

Broader Implications

This case has sparked broader discussions regarding the use of digital health data, which is often perceived as private, by tech platforms. While period-tracking apps have become a daily staple for countless individuals, this ruling raises critical concerns about transparency, consent, and the actual control users have over their most personal information.

“`html

Apple’s iPhone 17 Launch Details: What to Expect

Apple is set to reveal its iPhone 17 series next month, with numerous reports indicating a confirmed schedule. According to fresh insights from various sources, including internal documents from mobile carriers, the Apple launch event is anticipated to occur on Tuesday, 9 September 2025.

This date aligns with Apple’s customary practice of launching products in early September, predominantly on a Tuesday. Last year, however, the company opted for a Monday event to avoid a clash with the US Presidential Debate. Analysts and insiders are confident that the traditional Tuesday schedule will be reinstated for 2025.

Pre-orders and Sale Dates Revealed

Along with the launch date, reports indicate that pre-orders will commence on Friday, 12 September, with initial retail sales and shipments set to begin on Friday, 19 September. These dates adhere to the consistent pattern Apple has maintained for several years.

The information was initially reported by the German outlet iPhone-Ticker, which referenced internal documents from mobile carriers. These documents reportedly outline the preparations for a significant Apple product release on 9 September, reinforcing predictions from industry experts like Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman.

What to Anticipate from Apple

The focal point of the September event will be the iPhone 17 series, which is expected to feature four models:

• iPhone 17
• iPhone 17 Air (replacing the former Plus variant)
• iPhone 17 Pro
• iPhone 17 Pro Max

This year’s selection is anticipated to introduce several significant upgrades. One of the most awaited developments is the arrival of the ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air, which will be a lighter alternative in the lineup. The Pro models are also projected to undergo a design refresh, boasting a new rear camera module, aluminium frame, and anti-reflective display glass.

Under the hood, all models are rumoured to be equipped with the A19 chip, with the Air and Pro versions likely featuring 12GB of RAM for the first time.

Additional Product Announcements Expected

Apple may also seize the opportunity to announce enhancements to its wearable and audio categories. This could include updates like the Apple Watch Series 11, Apple Watch Ultra 3, and the Apple Watch SE 3. Furthermore, the highly anticipated AirPods Pro 3 might make their debut alongside these devices.

Post-event, Apple is predicted to release the stable version of iOS 26, with a public launch expected within a week of the iPhone 17 reaching the stores.

Awaiting Final Confirmation

While Apple has not officially confirmed the event date as of yet, the consistent information across reports and internal sources makes 9 September the most likely launch day. Until then, attention remains focused on Cupertino for the formal announcement.

“`

Apple Device Vulnerabilities: A High-Severity Alert from CERT-In

Apple device users should pay attention to the recent high-severity alert issued by India’s cyber security authority, CERT-In. This warning highlights multiple security vulnerabilities that may put billions of iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches, and other Apple products at risk of cyberattacks.

Affected Devices

The identified vulnerabilities affect several of Apple’s main platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. The specific versions that are vulnerable include:

• iPhones operating on iOS versions earlier than 18.6
• iPads running on iPadOS versions prior to 17.7.9 and 18.6
• Macs using macOS versions older than Sequoia 15.6, Sonoma 14.7.7, or Ventura 13.7.7
• Apple Watches with watchOS versions earlier than 11.6
• Apple TV and Vision Pro devices using tvOS or visionOS before versions 18.6 and 2.6 respectively

CERT-In stresses that users still on these outdated versions are particularly vulnerable, both within India and worldwide.

What’s the Risk?

The advisory details several severe vulnerabilities that, if utilised by cybercriminals, could enable unauthorized access, execution of arbitrary code, theft or alteration of sensitive data, privilege escalation, or denial-of-service (DoS) incidents.

These vulnerabilities arise from various technical issues, such as type confusion, integer overflows, buffer overflows, race conditions, logic errors, memory mismanagement, and improper privilege handling. Attackers may exploit these flaws by sending specially crafted files or requests to the targeted devices.

CERT-In classifies the overall risk level as high, particularly for businesses that rely on Apple devices for their everyday functions. The advisory also warns of potential data breaches, operational disruptions, and damage to reputation if a successful attack occurs.

What Should Users Do?

Apple has released security updates that rectify these vulnerabilities across its platforms. CERT-In strongly advises all users to promptly install the latest software updates. These updates can be found in device settings or through Apple’s official support website.

In addition to applying patches, users are encouraged to maintain good cyber hygiene by:

• Avoiding unverified applications
• Refraining from clicking on suspicious links
• Monitoring for unusual device behaviour
• Keeping software updated regularly

Organizations should ensure that IT departments are promptly applying these patches across all Apple-based systems to mitigate risks.

Given the increasing complexity of cyber threats aimed at widely used devices, the CERT-In advisory highlights the critical need for proactive digital security measures.