Instagram’s Unexpected Bar Edition
What Happened?
On Thursday, millions of users pulled up their feeds and—boom!—saw funky bars slither across their photos and videos. Most folks assumed it was a glitch in their phones, but Instagram stepped onto Twitter to set the record straight.
Instagram’s own words (December 6, 2018):
We’re aware of an issue making bars appear over some photos. We know this is frustrating and are working to resolve it as quickly as possible.
In the same breath, a separate pop‑up shoutout “Action Blocked” flashed on screen, leaving some users scratching their heads whether the two were linked. According to Downdetector.com (no link allowed per policy, but just to note the source), the issue kicked off around 1:16 pm New York time.
Twitter’s Take‑It‑All‑in‑one‑Response‑Inflight
- Ivan Carrillo (@IvancarrilloTV): “This #InstagramGlitch is causing people to lose their minds! ”
- Miralem | Photographer (@MiralemBotic): “Action Blocked, real chaos!”
- Yulian Karadzhov (@yuliankaradzhov): “Story glitches? Fix quick, please!”
- Ryle Tuvierra (@thefiercewalker): “What’s happening with Insta‑stories? Glitch effect? Look ”
- Eyssalicious (@Eyssalicious27): “Hmmm… is this a glitch? #Instagram”
What Users Can Do
While the tech team works its magic, you can:
- Refresh the app—sometimes a quick restart does the trick.
- Check for updates in your phone’s app store; a fresh version may already have the fix.
- Clear the app cache (for Android) or reinstall (for iOS) to wipe out stale data.
Final Thought
When Instagram decides to go full TV Gadget and sprinkle bars over your photos, it’s a good reminder that even the biggest apps aren’t immune to hiccups. Meanwhile, keep your phones updated, and if you feel stressed, maybe take a quick scroll of a meme, breathe, and let the glitch pass. Happy scrolling, folks!
