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Help me understand how someone was able to "follow me" on instagram...

I have never shared my instagram with anyone.
I don't even use it, just to look at things I'm interested in.

I have a cousin who is on my facebook and is follwing me on instagram...

I have not advertised what my instagram is.

Where is the correlation???

I hate internet
Feels like an invasion of privacy.

I wanted the two to be separate

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Poppies · 61-69, F

I found people following me on Instagram even though I wasn't using it. I was really surprised. My son explained to me that I could change my settings so people would have to ask to follow me. I figured out how to do that and now I turn everyone down except close friends. I asked my son, why do strangers want to follow me? He explained that they were probably hoping that I, in turn, would want to follow them. People who are trying to use their Instagram accounts for commercial purposes benefit by being able to boast of more followers.

Henal · 26-30, F

It could be because when you follow another person, Instagram will suggest some accounts that person is following. So it may be, someone followed your cousin and in turn Instagram suggested your account?

rosyhills · 31-35, F

@Henal I have not followed anyone on instagram...
And none of my stuff, as far as i know, is connected to facebook... My username does not include my facebook name. I do not understand the correlation. It's creepy and It makes me feel like im not safe online.

Henal · 26-30, F

@rosyhills Well if you want you can make your account private. So nobody can see your posts. Only those that follow you. And if anyone wants to follow you, they’d have to send a request, which you can either accept or decline

rosyhills · 31-35, F

@Henal I find the whole thing weird. As I was explaining to someone else above, I think it is linked with my phone number. Has to be since the 'suggestions' i see are all family members who have my phone number.
I will be deleting it

eMortal · M

Simple, instagram suggested you to your cousin because you guys are connected on Facebook. Instagram does that. It basically gives you the list of your Facebook contacts who are also on Instagram. That's how your cousin found you.

rosyhills · 31-35, F

@eMortal i guess it's using phone number and facebook. I notice some don't have my number or aren't facebook friends, yet I do know them.
Still don't see how my cousin found me. It is a series of letters and numbers for my username. It has never been my real name. Nor does it have a picture. Still baffled by that.

8Rockhead8 · 51-55, M

Like Facebook. Instagram 'promotes' individual friendships by suggesting certain people be followed. Or cousin was either searching for or just guessed at your name.

rosyhills · 31-35, F

@8Rockhead8 its so weird though. I have only logged onto that instagram account a handful of times. I am only following 2 famous people, no one else. Not sure how he "guessed" at my name considering its just a few letters and numbers, AND there is no picture. I have never posted a picture or a single post, to instagram. Still baffled🤷‍♀️

As I am looking around, I clik on the suggestions button and see many random people along with some people that I do know. Where is the correlation though? Is it linked to my email, or my phone contacts? As I type, I think it is related to my phone contacts. The people that I see are family members who have my number, including the one cousin who is following me.

Tnebigbadwolf · 36-40, M

Are you using your phone? The phone usually will link your accounts for your friends without you or them knowing

rosyhills · 31-35, F

@Tnebigbadwolf nope, laptop, but yes I have figued that out now. I see 'suggested' followers are all family members and a few friends who have my number. This is redculous and invasive. Glad I wasnt posting na ked pics on there.
(I have made zero posts to instagram)

Tnebigbadwolf · 36-40, M

@rosyhills oh that too. 😆I dont think ig allows nakedness, my wife had a photo of herself in a swimsuit removed for nudity. Lol

Burrman · 56-60, M

Facebook and Instagram are owned by the same so your friends on Facebook will get Instagram suggestions for you I've also seen suggestions of friends of your followers

SW-User

Everything is linked to everything

rosyhills · 31-35, F

@SW-User how is it linked? I dont use the same email, nor same passwords, nor same user name.

SW-User

@rosyhills corporations are owned by bigger corporations called conglomerates

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