Instagram has officially rolled out a new policy restricting live streaming only to accounts with 1,000 or more followers. This means smaller creators and new users won’t be able to go live unless they meet the follower threshold. While Instagram hasn’t given an official reason, the move seems to align with other platforms like TikTok and YouTube that already have similar rules.

Speculations suggest this could be a resource-saving tactic, as live streams are data-heavy and costly to maintain, especially for accounts with minimal viewers. Another theory points to safety concerns, with Instagram possibly trying to reduce inappropriate content by restricting who can go live.

Alongside this update, Instagram also rolled out two new safety features for teens in India. Now, whenever a teen starts a chat, they’ll see safety tips and can view when the other person’s account was created. These measures are expected to safeguard young users from fake or harmful accounts.

While creators with fewer followers can still use video calls, this new rule may limit their discoverability and growth on the platform.