Instagram accidentally shows users violent content, company apologizes

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Meta has apologized following widespread user reports of violent and inappropriate content appearing in Instagram Reels feeds. The social media giant acknowledged a technical error that resulted in users being exposed to disturbing content that violated the platform’s community guidelines.

Users across Instagram voiced their concerns after discovering their Reels feeds suddenly filled with graphic, violent, and sexual content. The issue persisted even for users who had activated Instagram’s Sensitive Content Control feature at its strictest setting.

Meta confirms they have resolved the issue that caused Instagram users to see an influx of violent and sexual reels, stating, "We apologize for the mistake." pic.twitter.com/IfLDrjfQ6B

— N I C K Y (@nickysweet857) February 27, 2025

“We have fixed an error that caused some users to see content in their Instagram Reels feed that should not have been recommended. We apologize for the mistake,” a Meta spokesperson told CNBC.

The platform’s content policies explicitly prohibit various forms of graphic content, including videos showing dismemberment, exposed internal organs, burned bodies, and cruel commentary regarding human or animal suffering. However, Meta does maintain certain exceptions for content that raises awareness about crucial issues like human rights violations, warfare, or terrorism, though such posts typically carry warning labels.

Investigation by CNBC revealed multiple instances of Reels containing footage of deceased individuals, severe injuries, and violent attacks, all marked as “Sensitive Content.” Meta maintains that it employs sophisticated internal technology alongside a team exceeding 15,000 content reviewers to identify and remove such disturbing material. The company claims its artificial intelligence and machine learning systems can detect and eliminate most policy-violating content before users report it.

#Meta apologized for an “error” that flooded some #Instagram users’ #Reels with violent content, even with strict filters enabled.

The issue is now fixed. Meta bans extreme gore but allows some graphic posts for awareness with warnings. Users had reported disturbing content. pic.twitter.com/Qc8kCpsLkc

— Piyush Bhasarkar (@TechKard) February 27, 2025