Instagram Algorithm Malfunction Floods Reels Feeds with Violent and Graphic Content
Instagram's recommendation algorithm malfunctioned in February 2025, flooding users' Reels feeds with violent and graphic content including footage of death and severe injury. Meta apologized and stated the error had been fixed, denying it was related to recent changes to its content moderation policies.
What happened
Instagram users reported being flooded with violent and graphic content on their Reels feeds in February 2025, including footage of death, gore, animal abuse, and severe injury.
Meta stated the issue resulted from an algorithm malfunction that recommended content that should not have been shown, and that the company fixed the error. Meta said the malfunction was unrelated to recent changes to its content moderation policies.
Reported impact
Users described being exposed to extreme graphic material, with one reporting seeing at least 10 deaths in their Reels feed and another describing the feed as dominated by violent content for 24 hours.
Governance controls
Meta's content guidelines state the company prohibits violent and graphic content. Some users posted screenshots showing 'sensitive content' screens designed to shield users from graphic material, but these protections did not prevent the content from appearing in feeds.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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