The ability to manage the visibility of one’s follower and following lists on Instagram provides users with greater control over their privacy and online presence. This involves adjusting account settings to restrict who can view the individuals a user follows, as well as those who follow them. For example, setting an Instagram account to private ensures that only approved followers can see these lists.
Limiting access to this information can offer several benefits. It enhances personal privacy, preventing unwanted attention or scrutiny from individuals who are not part of a user’s approved network. Furthermore, it can safeguard against potential data scraping or misuse of follower/following information by third parties. Historically, the need for this feature grew as social media platforms became more integrated into daily life, increasing concerns about online privacy and data security.