In the aftermath of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India has blocked access to the Instagram accounts of several prominent Pakistani celebrities, including actors Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam, Mawra Hocane, and acclaimed singer Abida Parveen. When Indian fans attempted to visit these celebrities’ Instagram profiles, a message appeared stating, “This account is not available in India. We restrict content in response to legal requests.”

As per agency report, Fawad Khan was slated to return to Bollywood after nearly nine years with the film "Abeer Gulal," but following the attack, the release of the film now remains uncertain. The crackdown has also affected accounts belonging to former Jal band member and actor Farhan Saeed, "Pasoori" singer Ali Sethi, and popular actors Saba Qamar and Adnan Siddiqui, known for their roles in "Hindi Medium" and "Mom," respectively.

Earlier this week, Instagram access was also restricted in India for several other Pakistani stars including Mahira Khan, Hania Aamir, Sanam Saeed, Ali Zafar, Bilal Abbas, Iqra Aziz, Ayeza Khan, Imran Abbas, and Sajal Aly. The move appears to be a direct response to heightened tensions following the April 22 terrorist incident in Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 Indian tourists were killed.

New Delhi, Feb 9 (IANS) Meta-owned Instagram is reportedly woking on the functionality to allow users to write messages with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).

App researcher Alessandro Paluzzi shared a screenshot that shows an option to “write with AI” when messaging another user.

“Instagram is working on the ability to write a message with AI,” Paluzzi wrote on X.

It will probably “paraphrase your message in different styles, similar to how Google's Magic Compose works,” he added.

Meta is slowly introducing new experiences with a new class of generative AI features that expand and strengthen the ways people connect with each other.

Meta AI is an assistant you can chat with 1-on-1 or message in group chats.

It can make recommendations in a pinch, make you laugh when you need a good joke, settle a debate in a group chat and generally be there to answer questions or teach you something new.

“We are rolling out AIs in the US only for now. To interact with Meta AI, start a new message and select ‘Create an AI chat’ on our messaging platforms, or type ‘@MetaAI’ in a group chat,” according to the company.

The Meta AI assistant is coming to WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram, along with dozens of AI characters based on celebrities like MrBeast and Charli D’Amelio.

Some of Meta AI characters are played by recognisable public figures, including Tom Brady as Bru, a wisecracking sports debater; MrBeast as Zach, a big brother who will roast you; and Naomi Osaka as Tamika, an anime-obsessed cosplay expert.

“Reels in Meta AI can help you decide on places to visit based on video reviews, learn a new dance with tutorial videos or give you some inspiration for that project you’re working on,” according to the company.

San Francisco, Oct 29 (IANS) Meta-owned Instagram is testing a new collaborative feature that will allow your friends to add photos to your posts.

The development was shared by Instagram head Adam Mosseri on his broadcast channel. 

"New test on Instagram. We just started testing a new way to invite friends to join in on your feed posts. Before posting a carousel, you can turn on the ability for your followers to submit photos and/or videos, which you can approve to add to the post," he said. 

When you are about to post photos on your profile, Instagram will give you the option to let followers submit their own photos and videos that they want to include. 

The submissions will not be automatically added to your post, as you'll have to approve each photo and video before they're added. 

In a screenshot of the feature shared by Mosseri, the feature will have an "add to post" button in the bottom-left corner. Meanwhile, Instagram is testing a new feature which will let users update their profile picture with a short or looping video in Notes. 

"Soon, people will be able to update their default profile photo in notes with a short, looping video. You'll still be able to share a thought via text to accompany the video. If you start seeing videos in notes, let us know what you think," Mosseri said. 

As per the demo video, a new camera icon will present on the profile picture when users start to create a note. From that icon, they can record a video to post on Notes. 

New Delhi, Oct 24 (IANS) Taking a cue from Elon Musk-owned X which charges users and give them more controls, Meta-owned Instagram is testing a feed that will only allow posts from paid verified users.

Reports surfaced earlier this year that Meta is testing a new subscription service that would let Facebook and Instagram users pay for a verified account. 

Instagram head Adam Mosseri said that the company is “exploring this as a new control for people and a way for businesses and creators to get discovered”.

The new Meta Verified toggle will appear as an option under “Following” and “Favourites” when you tap the Instagram logo at the top of the app, reports The Verge.

The Meta Verified programme costs $11.99 on the web or $14.99 in app, as it gives people a new way to try and appear more prominently in an Instagram feed. 

Mosseri encouraged people to “let us know if you’d be interested in using this,” new feed for verified users.

Reports surfaced earlier this month that Meta is planning to charge $14 for accessing an ad-free Instagram or Facebook in Europe where users will have an option to pay the fee or agree to see personalised ads.

If users in Europe want to access both Instagram and Facebook, they can get the combo for $17 per month, reports The Wall Street Journal. 

Those who pay for the subscriptions would not see ads while Meta would also continue to offer free versions of the apps with ads in the EU. 

New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) Meta-owned Instagram is testing a new "sticker creation" feature, which will let users turn their photos into custom stickers to use in Reels or Stories.

Instagram head Adam Mosseri gave a brief demonstration of how the new feature will work in a video shared to his broadcast channel.

"We're testing a way for you to turn photos into custom stickers to use in reels and stories. You can create stickers from your own photos in your camera roll, or from eligible images you see on Instagram," Mosseri said.

The feature was first spotted by Engadget. The new tool will select the subject of a photo and remove the background, creating a free-floating sticker that can be placed over other content. However, it's still just a test and hasn’t been rolled out to all users.

Meanwhile, Instagram has tested a feature which will soon allow some users to create polls in the comments section of their posts, offering creators yet another way to milk their content for more engagement. Mosseri announced the test on his broadcast channel, noting that polls can be added to comments on regular feed posts as well as reels.

"We're starting a small test to add a poll or vote on one in the comments of a feed post or reel. We’re always looking for new ways to interact with friends and creators," he posted.

Mumbai, July 7 (IANS) Veteran actress Saira Banu made her Instagram debut on Friday, sharing a heartfelt picture in remembrance of her late husband, the greatest actor ever Dilip Kumar.

Saira's profound gesture invites us to reflect on Dilip Kumar's monumental talent and enduring legacy of about 50 years in the Film Industry, as he is still considered one of India's greatest actors ever.

In her note, she beautifully embraced the digital realm with the legend's memory for generations.

The evergreen actress shared two photos in her first post -- one monochromatic and the other coloured -- with Dilip Kumar.

She wrote one of the Dilip Sahab's favourite Urdu couplets in the caption: "Sukoon-E-Dil Ke Liye Kuch Toh Ehtemaam Karoon, Zara Nazar Jo Miley Phir Unhe Salaam Karoon, Mujhe Toh Hosh Nahin Aap Mashwara Dijiyey Kaha Se Chedoon Fasana Kahan Tamaam Karoon."

She goes on to add: "I am writing this note on the 7th of July to especially express my gratitude to the overwhelming multitude of caring well-wishers and dearest friends from the world over who have so tremendously swept me off my feet till today with their everlasting remembrance, love, and respect for my Kohinoor Dilip Kumar Sahib."

Recalling the loss of her 'Sahib' as she fondly called him, Saira Banu recites another Urdu couplet, "Uth Apni Jumbish-E-Mizgaan Se Taaza Kar De Hayaat, Keh Ruka Ruka Qadam-E-Qayenaat Hain Saqi. My loved one is in slumber so my entire world is still- I implore him to stir awake so that the world comes alive again with his movement of waking up.”

"Till this day, I feel he is with me, and no matter what, we will still walk the path of life together- hand in hand- one in our thoughts and being until the end of time. Dilip Sahib has been that iconic guiding light for my life and all those generations who have stepped forward in their lives, exemplified by his gracious presence and personality. He has been the greatest actor ever and a great human being, a true picture of humility with dignity," she states.

Saira and Dilip have been the most iconic couple of all time, and their on-screen and off-screen chemistry has always melted their fans.

Films like 'Gopi', 'Bairaag', 'Sagina Mahato' and 'Duniya', have always been a treat for the audience. The couple emerged as the ultimate talk of the town as Saira always stood like a rock beside him through all the ups and downs of life, and they had spent five beautiful decades of marriage.

Signing off on her debut Instagram post, Saira concluded: "On 'Instagram' I would like to share his life, his thoughts and vision as also his dedication and commitments not only to the 'Film Industry' of which he has been the 'Ultimate Actor,' but various other activities towards society and well-being of the world at large."

She has garnered 887 followers, and is following Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Dharmendra, Kajol, Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Shabana Azmi, Hema Malini among others.

Over the years, Dilip Kumar has contributed to Hindi cinema immensely by giving hit movies like Indian Cinema's most iconic films like 'Saudagar', 'Mughal-e-Azam', 'Devdas', 'Ganga Jumna', and 'Madhumati'. He went on to receive the coveted Padma Vibhushan, the Padma Bhushan, and the Dada Saheb Phalke award for his contribution to Cinema.

New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) Meta-owned Instagram is set to take on Elon Musk-run Twitter with a similar micro-blogging text platform that is likely to be launched by the end of June.

The Twitter-like platform, "Instagram's new text-based app for conversations" is apparently codenamed P92 or Barcelona, according to Lia Haberman, who shared the news in her ICYMI Substack newsletter.

"Say more with Instagram's new text-based app for conversations. Talk directly with your audience and peers," according to the new app description.

"Create with text and attach links, photos and videos. Engage with likes and replies to deepen connections with friends, fans and other creators. Bring your fans with you," it reads.

The app looks like a mix of Instagram and Twitter.

"Soon, our app will be compatible with certain other apps like Mastodon," according to the information.

The app will be "equip you with settings to control who can reply to you and mention your account".

"Accounts you've blocked carry over from Instagram, and we're enforcing the same Community Guidelines to help ensure everyone interacts safely and authentically," according to the description.

Users on these other apps will be able to search for, follow and interact with your profile and content if you're public, or if you're private and approve them as followers.

Instagram's new atext-based app' could let you create Twitter-like posts on a timeline.