Instagram Data Privacy

Role

Researcher
UI/UX Designer

Tools

Figma

Duration

4 Weeks

Background

In a world where user data is a valuable commodity and various services and developers competes for its access, it becomes increasingly crucial for designers to create interfaces and experiences that provide transparency and control over user data.

Overview

Instagram is one of the most widely used social media platforms, yet users often encounter issues in managing their data efficiently and are confused regarding finding information that addresses their need.

Solution

In order to let users manage their data more smoothly and efficiently. I implemented several practical solutions to improve the current user flow.
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• By rearranging the information hierarchy in the settings, users can access information about their account more intuitively.
• The addition of a search bar function, deactivate account feature, and the option to opt-in or out of data collection provide users with more control over their data and usage.
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Providing clarity on how user data is used and offering simple ways to deactivate accounts would further enhance the user experience. These solutions are designed to benefit the user by offering a smoother and more intuitive user flow.

Check this out! Deceptive UX Patterns

In-depth research on deceptive UX patterns to gain insights and safeguard against their inadvertent use in design. I researched on how deceptive UX manipulate users and conducted research using design methods. Focusing on what user needs, desires, and prefers on social media.
This helped me steer clear of dark UX and create an environment which gives user control back on their data.

Instagram Dark UX

Research

The research process started with taking a deep dive into the Instagram app settings. By understanding the current user flow, it’ll give me a better understanding on what can be improved based on the user’s need. My main focus was on the accounts & privacy sections. I was curious on the process of how an user would navigate when trying to find information regarding privacy & data. For starters, the Privacy and Security Help section was surprisingly located under Help instead of Privacy.

Key Findings

Information hierarchy

The information hierarchy in the current Instagram settings prioritize less important sections . Certain informations are located in confusing areas. Users would have to read through all these sub-titles before they can locate their account information.

Lack of search bar

Instagram’s settings contains an extensive amount of information that users can access, but the lack of a search bar slows down the process when users are trying to locate a specific piece of information.

Unable to deactivate account through mobile app

Instagram only allows users to deactivate their account through browser, although this can be easily solved through adding a function in the account settings. Users would have to take the extra step to login through a browser just to deactivate their account. There’s also a limit on user only allowed to deactivate their account once per week.

Lack of data transparency

Within the app settings, there is no information that addresses on how the user’s data is being used. User doesn’t have the option to opt out of data collection.

Opportunity

From the key findings in my research, I came up with several solutions.

• Adjust the information hierarchy for user’s connivence.
• Implement a search bar for user to find their desired information faster.
• Allow user to easily deactivate their account within the app.
• Give user control over their data, they can choose to have their data collected or not

Adjusted Settings

The adjusted settings with information hierarchy that prioritizes sections related to user’s account privacy and help. The adjustments help the user to faster locate their account privacy settings. The addition of a search bar also benefits the user from being confused on where to locate their desired information/actions. The search bar provides the user with quick access to adhere their needs.

Deactivate Account within the Mobile App

Users can now deactivate their account within the mobile app. No more extra hassle to login to Instagram browser. This function also changes the restriction of only allowing users to deactivate their account once a week. The user can now temporarily deactivate their account freely. The pop up notification ensures users how Instagram will keep their data safe when they’re away.

Give User Control Over Their Data

Users can now choose to be part of data collection or not. This give users the freedom to opt in and out of data collection. It is turned off by default. If the users choose to opt in. The pop up notifications explain why the developers collect user data. It also provides a link for users who want to know more on how their data is used and implemented.

User Feedback & Revision

I conducted user testing based on the new functions I implemented. Feedback I received was to add another screen after the user deactivates their account. This gives the user assurance on they successfully deactivated their account and leaves the user a warm impression and full control whenever they decide to activate their account.

Reflection

Some of the features in this project are actually functions Instagram implemented in the past updates!

This project was completed before Instagram revised their settings. Instagram’s updated settings now have a search bar and an adjusted information hierarchy that prioritizes information more relevant to the user’s needs.

Lessons Learned

Giving user control
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‍ This project taught me how subtle changes can give user control over their data and better adhere their needs. Information hierarchy and organizing is also key to giving user a smooth and intuitive user flow.

Opportunity Research
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‍ Instead of jumping to conclusions on adding new features or changing existing ones, I conducted research on the user flow to help further understand the user’s pain points and frustrations. With the research results and key findings, I was able to craft solutions based on these prior findings.

Instagram Data Privacy Case Study