Instagram is used by billions but when many of them got a password reset email in the last few weeks, the alarm bells started ringing. Many reports hinted that Instagram data has been breached which triggered
a massive uproar as they sought answers about the possible leak of its users.
Data leaks are hard to detect, especially for the users, who are not sure if the activity was registered from the company or forwarded through hackers.
In this case, the email might have looked suspicious but it seems Instagram has refuted the breach allegations and denied that its users and their data has been exposed.Instagram Denies Leak Concerns
Instagram claims there was no data breach of its system that may have exposed your data. So then how do you explain the rampant password reset emails that thousands have got in the last few weeks? The company says the supposed breach-like email to users was triggered by a technical issue which allowed people other than the account holders to start the reset password process.
Instagram also pointed out that all its internal systems are secure and no data has been exposed. This was mentioned in a post on X in the last 24 hours, assuring users about the activity and asking them to ignore the mails.
We fixed an issue that let an external party request password reset emails for some people. There was no breach of our systems and your Instagram accounts are secure.
You can ignore those emails — sorry for any confusion.
— Instagram (@instagram) January 11, 2026
Most might say a clarification like this should ease the concerns but we’ve seen these events happen before which were initially refuted but later we see the companies retrace their claims. In addition to the password reset emails, a report by MalwareBytes claimed that cyber thieves got hold of personal information belonging to 17.5 million Instagram users and the mail activity further increased the levels of alarm among all those using the platform.
The report said the exposed data can be misused by scammers as they craft personal emails with the attempt to phish their accounts and even devices for further damage.
Data breaches have become extremely dangerous but it is easy to note the points that can protect you from such attacks. You should be careful about clicking any links from emails that may have showed up in your Inbox out of the blue. And the other big change you can make is set up two-factor authentication for logins and such tasks on your account.
