JAKARTA – Instagram is launching a new biometric verification scan to help prevent spammers and bots from abusing the system. Unfortunately, when tested, Barbie doll can pass and be verified as a real human.
Instagram has been dealing with a rapidly changing environment over the years, bringing a unique approach to social media with a photo-first approach when it launched in 2010.
It starts with a low resolution image that is only 640 pixels wide. The system was fast and lightweight even at the much lower internet speeds available at the time. Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012 and initially made some changes, but as technology developed, Instagram increased the photo size limit, added video options, and started showing its first ads.
The old story is that money is corrupt, and Instagram has become a source of income for many content creators. Unfortunately, spammers also have to make a good income on Instagram because there are a lot of fake accounts that follow, like, comment and send direct messages to almost anyone when they try to promote, sell or scam real users.
Instagram, of course, tries to keep an eye on this activity, but keeping up with automated attacks is hard work. The platform recently implemented a biometric verification process to help slow down a flood of bots, but the test seemed too simplistic. Spotted by XDA Developers, a recent YouTube video from Alexander Chalkidis shows how a barbie doll can easily spoof the verification process.
Instagram Verification Problem
Chalkidis did the same test with Ken doll and verified for the same account. This is possible because Instagram does not store biometric data, meaning any dummy that looks vaguely human could serve for future verification requests.
No need to use the same Barbie to remove bots for another round of spamming. Since the instructions specify turning heads in different directions, at least two-dimensional photos won't fool the verification system.
This isn't the first time Instagram has attempted humane biometric verification on users. The requirement started appearing over a year ago, and complaints about not being able to upload the required selfie videos have also surfaced.
So maybe Instagram is changing from a system that is too difficult to a system that is too easy. Whatever the case, it looks like more refinements are needed to resolve the tricky problem of spam and bots on Instagram.
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