Permissions that may be required for the installation of Instagram Pro include the camera, storage, and internet permissions. Of course, this all does make a great deal of sense, considering some of the base functionalities of the app fall under these categories. For instance, using the camera allows users to capture photos and videos directly inside the application. The same report pegged over 80% of Instagram users as using the camera feature to upload content to this social media platform in 2022.
Apart from the camera, Instagram Pro also asks for permission to read and write into the device's storage. This is required for saving media files-images and videos-that users download from or upload to the platform. In fact, Instagram Pro has an enhanced media download feature that lets users save posts directly to their devices-something the official app won't let them do. A study this year revealed that 60% of Instagram Pro users wanted this feature for offline viewing.
This application also requires an active internet connection to connect with the servers of Instagram in order to allow posting, comment liking, and other online capabilities in real time. The gravity of this permission can be estimated by knowing that in 2021 alone, Instagram had 500 million active users who viewed content daily, which would necessitate constant connectivity.
While these permissions are common for many applications, users of the said modified version should be similarly warned about the risks involved when the app uses personal data. In 2021, the cybersecurity firm Kaspersky reported that 15% of unofficial Instagram applications were found to contain vulnerabilities that would mean users' data might fall prey to third-party tracking. This calls for being very wary about permissions which grant access to places where privacy could be compromised.
Depending on the device settings and user preferences, Instagram Pro may request other permissions related to location services. In turn, this allows the application to tag posts with geolocation-a feature 30% of Instagram users engage in, according to a survey conducted in 2022. However, users should be very aware when giving out access to location, since this may expose personal movement patterns.
In this light, users who wish to download Instagram Pro are informed to do so from reputable sources, such as Instagram Pro, which has clearly outlined the application's permissions and hence minimized any potential security risks.