Sure, you can screenshot a post on Instagram or bookmark it for later, but oddly there’s no way to down pictures on Instagram — at least until now.
The General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, is set to take effect across Europe on May 25 and gives users the right to know the 5 “Ws” — who, what, where, when and why — as it pertains to their personal data.
“Organizations, corporations and the government know too much about us, and what GDPR will do is provide controls that say, it’s fine that you know something, but you have to justify why you want to know it,” said Seb Matthews, a data privacy consultant with U.K.-based extraCloud, told NBC News.
The GDPR gives individuals the right to have personal data erased or not used in the future — and they can move or download their data, and keep it from being used for direct marketing purposes (like targeting via online advertising).
What does this have to do with you? Instagram is complying with the new ruling by adding a download feature on the app, meaning you’ll be able to download pictures on Instagram.
How to download pictures on Instagram
The new feature — set to roll out in app updates ahead of the May 25 deadline — won’t be on each individual picture.
Instead, once you push the download button Instagram will get to work downloading pictures on Instagram, along with everything else. And by everything else, we mean everything: your direct messages, stories, likes, searches and username, as well as everyone you follow (and everyone who follows you).
Other (possible) new Instagram features
Instagram seems to be testing some other new features. According to The Verge, a computer science student who spent some time looking at the app’s code noticed a few new features, including a Twitter-like “mute” feature where you’ll stop seeing posts and (probably) stories from a user without having to unfollow them.
The student, Jane Manchun Wong, also believes they’re testing reactions to stories (much like Facebook’s react buttons) and a slow-motion feature for recording video. There’s also a calendar archive showing for stories, making it easier for users to navigate.
Instagram is testing Story “Reactions”. It works kinda like the existing Facebook Stories Reaction pic.twitter.com/z2tAg8BcP2
— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) April 27, 2018
Instagram is staying silent on the rumors, only telling the website that the company doesn’t “have anything to share on this right now.”
