Many Instagram users across Pakistan and around the world often feel shocked when they see ads related to something they were just thinking about or casually discussing. This strange experience has sparked a growing question online: can Instagram read your mind through ads?
The short answer is no. Instagram cannot read thoughts, but it does track user behaviour very closely. The platform collects data based on likes, searches, comments, videos watched, time spent on posts, and even the accounts people interact with the most. This information helps Instagram’s algorithm predict interests with surprising accuracy.
Experts say smartphones do not listen to private conversations without permission. However, apps can analyse patterns such as typing activity, location, browsing history, and previous purchases. When combined, this data creates detailed user profiles, making ads feel “too accurate” or personal.
Meta, Instagram’s parent company, has repeatedly denied claims that it uses microphones to listen to users. Instead, it relies on machine learning tools to anticipate what users may want next. This is why ads often appear shortly after someone searches for a product on Google or watches a related video.
Digital privacy advocates advise users to review app permissions, limit ad personalisation settings, and clear browsing history regularly. While Instagram may not read minds, its algorithms are designed to understand habits better than most people realise.
Also Read, Bad news for solar panel users in Pakistan
As the number of people converting to solar panels is on the rise, the authorities have announced a bad news for solar panel users.
The installation of solar panels has been suspended by the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO). The development came after the directives from Ministry of Energy.
The LESCO spokesperson said that a huge number of solar panel users will be affected by the decision. The ban is in contrast to National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) decision, which approved the installation of these solar meters, but the Energy Ministry’s orders have now put the process on hold.
