Instagram apologises after now-deleted ‘bug’ update causes major backlash
Instagram has apologised after a now-deleted update resulted in an online uproar. (Instagram)
Instagram has apologised after a “bug” update changed some users’ feeds, resulting in major backlash, which the social media platform said is now “fixed.”
Instagram users took to Twitter to vent their fury at the update on Thursday (December 27), which involved changing the vertical scrolling feed format to a “tap” or swipe version similar to the way the social media network displays its stories.
The unwelcome change soon trended as #instagramupdate on Twitter, with some users comparing it to the dating app Tinder.
Social media erupts after unpopular Instagram update
However, Instagram reversed the update within roughly an hour and said sorry to users.
“Due to a bug, some users saw a change to the way their feed appears today,” a statement read on Instagram’s official Twitter account.
“We quickly fixed the issue and feed is back to normal. We apologize for any confusion.”
Instagram reverses update within an hour
Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head of products, said on Twitter that the update was supposed to be a small-scale test.
“Sorry about that, this was supposed to be a very small test but we went broader than we anticipated,” he wrote.
“We quickly fixed the issue and feed is back to normal. We apologize for any confusion.”
Reactions to Instagram’s unpopular update came through thick and fast on Twitter.
American internet celebrity and make-up artist Jeffree Star posted: “B*tch… this #instagramupdate almost ruined my morning!! Now switch our feeds to chronological order, thanks.”
Journalist and media commentator Owen Jones posted a meme of a person with a flamethrower, alongside the caption: “Here’s how I’m dealing with the new Instagram feed.”
And another user said: “Not to be dramatic but this new instagram update is the worst thing that’s ever happened in 2018.”
Here’s how I’m dealing with the new Instagram feed #instagramupdate pic.twitter.com/JfEHIusFkV
— Owen Jones (@OwenJones84) December 27, 2018
Social media critics have also been quick to react to Instagram returning to its old format.
One Twitter user posted: “Instagram removing the update so fast bc of the hate was the greatest thing I’ve ever seen a social media community do.”
Instagram removing the update so fast bc of the hate was the greatest thing I’ve ever seen a social media community do #instagramupdate pic.twitter.com/ZbQXxmU1Jx
— Gillian Marlow (@marlow_gill) December 27, 2018
Another person wrote: “Only in 2018 could a company as large as Instagram release a new update and then receive such a backlash over it that they change it back 20 minutes later. Beautiful. “
