Instagram Tightens Unsolicited Messages to Curb Abuse

Photographer: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg
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Facebook Inc. is beefing up tools on its photo sharing app Instagram to combat harassment and hate speech in private messaging and comments.

Instagram announced Wednesday it will let users hide direct message requests that contain offensive words, phrases or emojis. All direct message requests from a predefined list will automatically be filtered into a separate hidden requests folder, according to the company.