Instagram has announced new plans to crack down on fake accounts, likes, and comments. The company claims to have new tools in place identifying those using services and apps to boost their follow count and overall social engagement.

It’s no secret that many public figures and corporations have purchased bot accounts in order to boost their perceived popularity as a brand. The recent surge in sponsored posts and the following opportunities to make serious cash from advertisements on the platform have spurred a desperate rush for many people to acquire a large following as soon as possible.

The app, which recently surpassed one billion users, has warned that handing over your login information to third-party companies who claim they can boost your following is a violation of Instagram’s community guidelines and compromises users’ security.

In the statement, they used very selective wording in claiming that users breaking the rules will “see their Instagram experience impacted” and that they are now actively using “machine learning tools” in order to identify those at fault.

The operation to clean up the platform is already underway, and those affected will be warned they must also change their password so as to break ties with any third-party company who holds their login details. It follows Facebook’s recent announcement that nearly 1.5 billion phony accounts were removed between April and September.

Lead image credit: lalo Hernandez on Unsplash