Instagram users can reduce how Meta uses some of their data for advertising and AI personalisation, although there is no single setting that stops all collection or use of data. The article matters because ads can be influenced by information supplied by retailers, apps and other businesses, as well as activity within Instagram itself.

Meta’s newer “Activity from other businesses” control lets users stop off-platform activity from shaping ads, Feed content and AI responses, while European users can choose less-personalised ads. Users can also restrict iPhone tracking permission, review Android app permissions, disable contact syncing and delete previously uploaded contacts; however, Instagram may still use in-app actions, device and network data, location signals and advertiser customer lists. Meta says deleting uploaded contacts may take up to 90 days.