Instagram blocks users from linking to Telegram and Snapchat

You know that website section in your Instagram bio? It's the only place on the social network where you can deeplink to other parts of the internet, and IG celebs often use it to let fans know where else they can be found. It still works as intended, but it has suddenly stopped supporting Telegram and Snapchat links, as TechCrunch reported. An IG spokesperson confirmed to TC that it has "removed the ability to include 'add me' links" to profiles." He said that it was "not the way [their] platform was intended to be used," but that "other types of links are still allowed."

The spokesperson didn't name specific websites, but upon checking, we can confirm that Instagram continues to support Twitter, LinkedIn and, of course, Facebook links. If you try to add a Telegram or a Snapchat profile, though, you get this message:

Telegram founder Pavel Durov took to Twitter to air his grievances against Facebook, IG's parent company. This isn't the first time a Facebook-owned service put up walls keeping out Telegram links, after all: in late 2015, Whatsapp also removed the ability to deeplink to its rival messaging app. Durov believes Facebook has been targeting his service either because it's been growing steadily (he says it now has 100 million monthly active users) or because of the launch of its public chatrooms called Channels, which could make Telegram a legit social network. We've reached out to the Snapchat team for their insights on why IG also blocked their ephemeral messaging app, and we'll update this post if we hear back.

Another @Facebook tentacle closes on users' ability to share a link to their Telegram profile. #hypocrisy pic.twitter.com/xC6ydp3M0p

— Telegram Messenger (@telegram) March 2, 2016