Instagram has clarified that the recent wave of password reset emails received by users was due to a technical issue and not because of a data breach. The clarification came after users across several countries reported receiving unexpected emails asking them to reset their passwords, triggering fears that Instagram account data may have been compromised.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Meta-owned platform Instagram said, "We fixed an issue that let an external party request password reset emails for some people. There was no breach of our systems, and your Instagram accounts are secure. You can ignore those emails — sorry for any confusion."
Instagram’s statement was aimed at addressing concerns after screenshots of the emails began circulating on social media, with many users questioning whether their accounts had been hacked.
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Cybersecurity firm flags ‘data exposure’
The concerns grew further after cybersecurity firm Malwarebytes linked the password reset activity to an alleged data breach involving millions of Instagram users. According to the firm, data connected to 17.5 million Instagram accounts worldwide was exposed.
“Cybercriminals stole the sensitive information of 17.5 million Instagram accounts, including usernames, physical addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, and more,” Malwarebytes said.
“This data is available for sale on the dark web and can be abused by cybercriminals.”
Despite these claims, Instagram has firmly denied any breach of its systems and reiterated that user accounts remain secure.
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Users share experiences online
As the debate continued, several users shared their personal experiences on social media platforms. One user wrote on X, “I’ve been getting meta emails about changing my password for the last like 2 weeks.”
Another user said, “I got the email that mine was accessed last night. Immediate changed my password.”
An X user posted, “Can confirm, got 2 password resets and checked to see my stuff on the data breach, change your passwords.”
While Instagram has asked users to ignore the emails, the mixed signals from cybersecurity reports and personal experiences have left many users cautious, with several choosing to update their passwords as a safety measure.
