Instagram will be doing a platform cleanup to remove fake followers, likes, and comments generated by applications aimed at making accounts appear more popular than they actually are.
In a blog post, the social media platform said, "Recently, we've seen accounts use third-party apps to artificially grow their audience. Starting today, we will begin removing inauthentic likes, follows and comments from accounts that use third-party apps to boost their popularity."
These apps and products of inauthentic activity violate Instagram's terms of service, and the platform will be using self-improving software programs to help identify these accounts.
Users will be notified about the removed likes, follows, or comments.
People who unknowingly linked to an offending app simply have to only change passwords to sever connections. Those who continue to use such third-party apps could see their "experience impacted", the platform said, without explaining how.
The moves comes as Facebook – which owns Instagram – is looking to assure people that the social network and its services can be trusted.