Instagram is supposedly testing a feature that tells you when someone's recorded your story

This needs to happen ASAP.
 By 
Raymond Wong
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Did you really think Instagram was going to stop copying Snapchat features in 2018?

Now, Instagram is reportedly testing a new feature -- one that Snapchat already has -- that notifies users when someone's taken a screenshot or screen recording of your stories.

Tech news site WABetaInfo claims that Instagram is testing the feature, but only internally. The website previously reported on Instagram testing a new word-focused tool called "Text" that can be used in the app's stories feature.

According to WABetaInfo, users will see a special icon next to a person's name if they take a screenshot or recording of your story.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Sure, it rips off Snapchat's exact same feature entirely, but at least it'll help you figure out who's stalking you and being creepy about it. At the very least, it'll inform you who to block or report.

Mashable reached out to Instagram for comment, and a company spokesperson told us it had "nothing to share right now."

Seeing as people are actually okay with the feature on Snapchat, there's a good chance that Instagram will ultimately roll out the feature. Giving users tools to help identify who's harassing or potentially preying on them is the step in the right direction to curb creepy social media activity. Users have a right to feel safe when they post to the platform.

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Raymond Wong

Raymond Wong is Mashable's Senior Tech Correspondent. He reviews gadgets and tech toys and analyzes the tech industry. Raymond's also a bit of a camera geek, gamer, and fine chocolate lover. Before arriving at Mashable, he was the Deputy Editor of NBC Universal's tech publication DVICE. His writing has appeared on G4TV, BGR, Yahoo and Ubergizmo, to name a few. You can follow Raymond on Twitter @raywongy or Instagram @sourlemons.

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