Private Instagram posts and Stories can be shared using a simple trick

Turns out private posts on Instagram and Instagram Stories aren’t all that private, a report by Buzzfeed News on Monday revealed.

The publication’s Tech + News Working Group, in fact, discovered that there is a fairly easy way for users to save and share content posted on private accounts on the Facebook-owned platform.

“A user simply inspects the images and videos that are being loaded on the page and then pulls out the source URL. This public URL can then be shared with people who are not logged in to Instagram or do not follow that private user,” Buzzfeed explained.

The publication further noted that the trick works for private Facebook posts too, suggesting that the company’s privacy-focused intentions are still falling short.

Throughout the year Facebook launched several new features and updates in an attempt to protect users data. On Monday alone, the company shared changes to its location settings to accommodate new smartphone updates that help users keep their information private.

On the plus side, however, now you don’t have to hit your friends with that “private account” message every time they send you a meme on Instagram.

Feature image: Memeburn