Instagram is toying with a read-only mode for Plus subscribers

That’s a nicer name than ‘stalker mode.’

Read-Only Exploration

Instagram is internally developing a potential new feature designed to allow silent browsing. A reverse engineer discovered an Instagram feature billed as "read-only mode." According to uncovered screenshots, this option allows for a session where users cannot like, comment, message, follow, or view stories, allowing them to browse the platform without leaving a paper trail of their activity. The concept appears tailored for Instagram Plus accounts based on the shared images.

Safety and Status

A platform representative stated that the read-only mode is an internal-only exploration and is not currently being tested externally. Platforms frequently prototype features that never see a public release. However, questions remain regarding whether the company has addressed potential safety concerns related to reduced visibility before any potential external rollout.