Instagram, owned by Facebook, said it corrected the mistake on Monday
(Picture: AFP via Getty)Instagram has issued an apology after a “mistake” let its algorithm to promote weight loss content to some users suffering from eating disorders.
The social media app’s new search feature automatically recommended terms including “appetite suppressants” and “fasting”, sparking concerns from campaigners that vulnerable people could relapse.
Instagram said it had now corrected the error by removing any harmful terms.
A spokesman for Facebook, which owns Instagram, told the BBC it was a “mistake” and the issue was resolved on Monday.
“We recently rolled out a new search functionality on Instagram beyond hashtags and usernames, to help you more easily discover and explore content you’re most interested in,” he added.
“As part of this new feature, when you tap on the search bar, we’ll suggest topics you may want to search for.
“Those suggestions, as well as the search results themselves, are limited to general interests, and weight loss should not have been one of them.”
Anorexia is an eating disorder and mental health condition where people are of low weight due to limiting how much they eat and drink.
According to the charity Beat, it has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, with Beat’s helpline seeing a 300% increase in people contacting them in the last year.
Last week Big Brother icon Nikki Grahame died aged 38 after a long battle with anorexia.
The reality TV star, originally from Northwood in London, checked into a private hospital last month after her eating disorder worsened in lockdown.
For help and support with eating disorders contact SEED on (01482) 718130 or visit www.seedeatingdisorders.org.uk
