I really can't find an answer to this problem anywhere, I'm hoping someone on here might have an idea.
In the last month probably, I've started getting message requests on Instagram (private account), but not from individuals, from message "groups" of people I don't know.
There seems to be no way to leave these groups (that I didn't agree to join), no way to report them to IG, just "ignore" or "delete".
I have changed my settings to turn message requests and group requests off. But it is still happening.
Is anybody else suddenly getting this? Any ideas on how the hell to stop it? Apparently it's impossible to contact IG/FB for help
I have the same, I'm added to groups advertising sex chats and porn videos etc. These guys have found that adding you to groups, there is no way for us to report them, just delete. They'll have to address this issue soon though.
I feel left out too, but I only signed up a couple of days ago, thinking to use it for the business. I don't pretend to understand how it works, or more importantly why. It seems that some people want to see pictures that others have posted, fair enough, but then they sign up and expect more pictures on a regular, or even daily basis. Why would they be interested?
I look at it more, for me, as a write-only medium, just like the website or other possible advertising/promotion, but am reluctant to start posting there until I understand a bit more about how it works and what would be expected if I were to start posting stuff.
I found the answer. Go to your page/feed. In the menu top right choose Settings, then privacy, then messages. You can restrict messages and group adds to only people you follow, or to no-one!
Yes, just click on the profile picture of the parasitical spammer, block them (if their profile picture is particularly raunchy, I report them for inappropriate content for good measure or just for spam), then, when you go back to your message, you get a notification gives you the option to leave the group.
Mods: FYI - I could not thank anyone in this thread
I poked around a bit and it turns out there are two sets of settings on the web/desktop version - if you go to the left hand menu, press the "... More" button at the bottom of the list, then "settings and privacy" , "privacy and safety" , "direct messages" and the first one is "Allow message requests from everyone" which includes groups - VERY annoying but if you're desperate... how asinine that they don't separate that.
It seems, there are 2 versions of Instagram about. Either not everyone has been changed to the new version.... or they are doing some sort of A/B test or something. Frustrating.
Randomly realised that this just stopped happening. I've not been added to any word group messaging for ages. I guess Instagram must have put a stop to it somehow
It's still happening every once in a while for me, but the other thing now and it's even MORE annoying is when I get tagged in some random post either trying to sell something or promoting porn.