Be careful with instagram

[Scarlett and Vincent]

Basically, we thought it would be fun to make an instagram account and share some photos and videos. We made an account and it gave the option to suggest friends. So obviously we said no, and denied Instagram access to our list of contacts.

To register, you need to put your phonenumber for security so you can recover your account if you forget the password. At least, that is what they tell you.

What they do not tell you is that they put your phonenumber in their database. So all your friends and family members who use instagram and do give permission to share their contacts, get the suggestion to add your new account. 

So basically, my aunt sent me a message asking me why I was kicking Vincent in the nuts on instagram. 

Fuck

[Berascal]

I feel bad for snickering at that. What a wonderful Christmas surprise that must have been! 

[Richard]

you do know you can get a google number and use that or just create an email and use that for the ig

[Scarlett and Vincent]

Yes but somebody can potentially request the password with that number.

[Kulkuset]

That almost happened to me when I made my first account to Instagram, except I noticed it instantly and had to delete it so no harm was done. I noticed it from Instagram suggesting my real-life friends so I figured I was being suggested to them as well. This was already a year or two ago so they have not fixed it.

I made a new account with a different device (that doesn't have phone contacts) and used a prepaid SIM card so it's fine now. You could also try blocking your friends so they can never see your account. 

I believe you may not use the Facebook app with the same device that you use Instagram either. Back then I googled this and a lot of people had complained about it. For instance, someone said that his private business was outed this way to his friends. Obviously massive privacy problems.

So use a phone that doesn't have a contact list, use a Google/prepaid SIM number for verification, and don't install the Facebook app to the same device.

[Scarlett and Vincent]

Just bought a new simcard :-)

[giordy]

Thats annoying...what did u tell your aunt?

[Scarlett and Vincent]

Have not seen her yet, Gab.

Maybe make an excuse.. but she is a smart woman so..... Idk

[Molly M]

Seems like you already have it figured out with getting a new number, but another option is to make the account private. Yeah you’ll have to go and accept a lot of people but at least you can be sure you know no family members or friends are acceding it with their main account. 

[Smack My Nuts]

Thanks for the warning.  I hate when places abuse security information for other purposes.

[Missy Gero]

Be careful with associating any third party stuff with Facebook too:

https://beta.techdirt.com/articles/20181219/10370941268/facebooks-l...

If you log into things like Spotify, or other services using your Facebook account, it shares all THAT info too.

Since Instagram is owned by Facebook, they also use your phone numbers and contacts in their systems to help "people you may know".

And like you mentioned, even if OTHER people have you as their friend, and then share the info with Facebook, it will tie your account to everyone else.

> So basically, my aunt sent me a message asking me why I was kicking Vincent in the nuts on instagram.

Super. Duper. Embarrassing.

> Thanks for the warning. I hate when places abuse security information for other purposes.

Facebook has also gotten in huge trouble because they were misusing people's 2 factor authentication:

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180927/08163440726/study-shows-...

They said your phone number would ONLY be used for recovering your account. That was a lie. They added you to the "people you may know" list.

Be very very careful if you're trying to create a "secret account" you don't want anyone to know about.

[skyhigh]

the internet is a scary place I don't like it. you say something one and its out there forever.

[skyhigh]

isn't that why you use a different number for this kind of thing. Thanks for the scary info.