Meta outlines how it collects Instagram user data across apps and devices

Meta has explained how it gathers data on Instagram users from a range of sources, saying that the precision of its advertising comes from in-app activity such as searches, views, likes, follows, shares and clicks, rather than microphone listening, alongside the use of that activity by Meta AI on Facebook and Instagram. There is no single off-switch. Meta said it continues to receive data from devices, networks, locations and linked accounts. A July 2026 update replaced a setting referred to as "Your activity outside Meta technologies" with a broader option called "Activity from other companies," adjustable through Instagram Profile > Menu > Accounts Center > "Activity from other companies." In other regions, users can disable personalization under "Ad preferences > Ad settings > Activity info from ad partners," though Meta noted that companies can still send data and personalization is not fully halted. In Europe, a "Fewer personalized ads" option limits targeting to signals such as age and location. On iPhones, Instagram tracking can be turned off in Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking, while Android users can restrict location, contacts, camera and microphone access under Settings > Apps > Instagram > Permissions.