American multinational technology company Facebook-owned Instagram is reportedly working on a new feature that would allow users to temporarily block unwanted comments and messages they receive from groups of users.
According to the statement, the new feature, named ‘Limits,’ is now in the testing phase and only available to a select group of users. Instagram will suggest groups of accounts from which you can block comments and messages.
The new feature is an extension to Instagram’s existing features, which allow users to mute and block abusive and offensive comments. Social media consultant Mr. Matt Navarra tweeted screenshots of the Limits feature that was initially spotted on Instagram by Twitter user Mr. Ahmed Ghanem.
As per the reports, “The feature is aimed to let users limit unwanted comments and messages for a certain period, say a day or a week.” Instagram will remind users to turn off the limit after that time.
Furthermore, Instagram claims that it will suggest categories of accounts from which you should limit comments and messages. You will also get the option to select whether you want to limit accounts that are not a part of your followers or are your recent followers. Once you’ve chosen who you wish to restrict, the platform will hide all comments and messages from those accounts until you approve them.
The overall functionality of the Limits feature is similar to how the Restrict option works that was introduced in 2019. However, that was aimed to let users manage harassment from individuals, while the latest change is to limit unwanted comments from groups that target people for abusive and harassing attacks.
“We want to give people more ways to manage intense instances of harassment or abuse. We’re testing a new tool that lets people hide comments and DMs from recent followers or people they don’t follow for a certain period of time,” the company said in a media statement.
