Meta Expands Instagram Data Controls in 2026 Rollout for AI and Ad Personalization
Updated
Updated · Engadget · Aug 22
Meta Expands Instagram Data Controls in 2026 Rollout for AI and Ad Personalization
3 articles · Updated · Engadget · Aug 22
Summary
July 2026 brought Meta’s new “Activity from other businesses” control to Instagram, letting users limit how off-platform activity shapes ads, Feed content and AI responses.
The setting replaces older ad-partner controls but is rolling out by country, and it does not stop businesses from sending data or Meta from using activity generated inside Instagram.
iPhone and Android users can further curb tracking by disabling app tracking, location, contacts and other permissions, though Meta may still infer location from IP addresses, device signals and account activity.
December 16, 2025 marked the start of Meta using AI-chat interactions as personalization signals in most regions; users can reset saved AI chat context with /reset-ai or /reset-all-ais, but those commands are not full opt-outs.
EU and UK users can also object to some generative-AI model training through Meta’s Privacy Center, underscoring that Instagram offers no single switch to shut down all data collection or personalization.