Overview
- An internal prototype surfaced via leaked screenshots from reverse‑engineering researcher Alessandro Paluzzi.
- Meta confirmed to TechCrunch that the feature is being built but emphasized it has not entered public trials.
- Leaked UI shows a warning before departure and notes that leaving removes access to the creator’s Close Friends content unless re‑added.
- Instagram has not detailed timing, regions, or platform availability for the rollout.
- The change aligns with a broader push for user‑controlled privacy tools on social apps, with rivals like Snapchat offering similar opt‑outs for private stories.