Instagram explores interaction-free browsing for Plus subscribers
Instagram is developing an internal feature called "read-only mode" for its Plus subscription tier that would allow users to browse the platform without interacting with any content. The feature would prevent users from liking, commenting, messaging, following or viewing stories, essentially creating an invisible browsing session with no digital footprint. Reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi uncovered the feature through screenshots, raising questions about its potential misuse for surveillance or stalking.
Instagram confirmed to Engadget that the feature is currently an internal exploration only and is not being tested externally. The company did not address safety concerns about how such a mode could potentially be misused for criminal purposes. Technology companies regularly develop features that never launch publicly, meaning this capability may never reach users.
- Instagram developing 'read-only mode' for Plus subscribers allowing invisible browsing
- Feature would hide all activity with no likes, comments, messages or story views
- Currently internal exploration; raises serious safety and stalking concerns
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Instagram Plus is a paid subscription tier that Meta offers separate from the free version of its social media platform. It provides subscribers with access to additional features and options not available to regular users.
The company has been internally developing a mode that would allow Plus subscribers to browse Instagram content without any interactions or traces of their activity. This mode would prevent all engagement such as liking posts, commenting, sending messages, following accounts or viewing stories, creating entirely invisible browsing sessions.
Such a feature could appeal to people who want to consume content privately without leaving a digital record, whether for personal privacy or professional purposes. The feature was uncovered by technology researchers examining Instagram's code, and like many internally developed features, it may never be released to users.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Proponents argue users deserve autonomy over their engagement and consumption patterns, free from the algorithmic tracking that enables surveillance capitalism. A read-only mode grants genuine privacy rights, particularly benefiting those experiencing engagement anxiety and mental health harm from visibility metrics. Since privacy features exist across technology because they're valuable, appropriate safeguards can mitigate misuse whilst preserving user choice.
The case against
Opponents argue this creates asymmetric surveillance—the ability to observe someone without their knowledge or consent, which they cannot reciprocate. This power imbalance is particularly dangerous for vulnerable people already at risk of stalking and harassment, who would have no way to detect ongoing monitoring. Unlike other privacy tools, read-only mode enables one-sided visibility that fundamentally compromises the safety of those being watched.
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Originally published by Engadget as “Instagram is toying with a read-only mode for Plus subscribers”.