Here’s the crux of the article in video form:
New updates are being added to the bottom of this story…
Original story (from May 11) follows:
Instagram is one of the most popular social platforms in the world. Currently, the service is part of the Meta conglomerate — formerly known as Facebook.
Unlike other social platforms, Instagram is based on multimedia content instead of text. The main role on Instagram is taken by pictures and short videos.
One of the most popular Instagram features is its filters. Many users find very attractive effects that they can apply to their photos through the app.
Instagram filters not only modify the color tones of the images. There are also filters that can profoundly modify the appearance of the subject.
However, currently Instagram filters are not showing for many users who only receive an error message saying ‘This effect is not available in your location’.
Instagram filters ‘This effect is not available in your location’ error
According to multiple reports, many Instagram users are unable to find their filters. The service allows you to save your favorite filters for quick use, but now these are missing.
When users try to re-add a filter to their favorites list, they only receive an error with a message that says ‘This effect is not available in your location’.
Sucky update?
Did anyone else’s filter go away? When I try to re add the ones that I already had save to use in my stories I get a message saying “this effect is not available in your location”. How can I fix it?
Source
anybody else’s instagram filters saying “not available in your location” ??
Source
This is the reason for the problem
Most users affected by the issue are from Texas and Illinois, but this has an explanation. It appears that Meta was forced to disable Instagram filters in those areas due to facial recognition laws.
As mentioned at the beginning, Instagram filters can also significantly change the appearance of the subject. For this, the app applies facial scanning and recognition technology.
However, this technology does not pass the filters of the current Texas and Illinois privacy laws. Therefore, Instagram filters will be ‘temporarily’ unavailable in those areas.
Meta plans to develop an opt-in system that will explain to users how the company’s facial scanning works. Then the filters will be available again, but there is no ETA for it.
A potential workaround
Some users were able to recover their filters, according to reports. They did this by enabling/disabling their phone location and uninstalling/reinstalling Instagram app.
It happened to me without updating! I miraculously got my saved filters back after turning my phones location on and off and uninstalling/reinstalling. But I have several friends who haven’t gotten their saved effects back and only see a “effect not available in your location” error message.
Source
At the moment there is no official acknowledgment of the issue from the Instagram team. We will update this story as events unfold.
Update 1 (May 11)
A Meta spokesperson reached out to us on the matter with the following statement:
The technology we use to power augmented reality effects like avatars and filters is not facial recognition or any technology covered by the Texas and Illinois laws, and is not used to identify anyone. Nevertheless, we are taking this step to prevent meritless and distracting litigation under laws in these two states based on a mischaracterization of how our features work. We remain committed to delivering AR experiences that people love, and that a diverse roster of creators use to grow their businesses, without needless friction or confusion
Update 2 (May 12)
12:56 pm (IST): Meta has temporarily disabled Instagram filters in Texas and Illinois to avoid unnecessary litigation (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). However, Snapchat filters are still available in these regions.
So, users who lost Instagram filters can use Snapchat as an alternative. It can also be used for live streams and video chats on PC & Mac via Snap Camera. Moreover, you can create custom filters using Snapchat.
Update 3 (May 13)
09:41 am (IST): If Instagram filters are not available in your region, then you can try out some VPN applications to get them back. Here are some popular VPN services:
– SurfShark VPN
– ExpressVPN
– Nord VPN
Update 4 (May 16)
11:07 am (IST): Some users even outside of Texas and Illinois are reporting (1, 2) that they are unable to use Instagram filters. However, Meta hasn’t yet provided any explanation for this.
Update 5 (May 17)
11:53 am (IST): If Instagram filters are not available for you, then you can try other apps such as Snow to click pictures using filters. It is available on both Android and iOS.
Update 6 (May 18)
11:37 am (IST): Some users — who previously lost their filters — are now reporting (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) that they are again back on Instagram.
However, not all users have recovered them. This means that filters are now gradually making their comeback on Instagram.
Update 7 (May 19)
12:15 pm (IST): Users who have received filters back on Instagram are getting a warning message to which they must consent by choosing ‘Allow’ in order to use filters.
However, users can also opt-out by choosing ‘Don’t allow’. Here’s the full warning message.
Update 8 (May 26)
08:45 am (IST): Many users have taken to Twitter to report that their Instagram filters are suddenly missing. This does not appear to be restricted to users in Texas and Illinois.
Most users are getting ‘Unable to use this effect on your device’ error when trying to use any filter.
Is it me or Instagram remove all nice filters? (Source)
whoever idea it was to remove the instagram filters can go to hell with gasoline drawls (Source)
Instagram hasn’t made any official statement regarding the issue yet.
Update 9 (May 27)
01:24 pm (IST): A user now claims that uninstalling and re-installing the Instagram app can be a potential solution to get the filters back. If the Instagram filters are missing for you then you can try this workaround.
Update 10 (May 30)
11:04 am (IST): Some users are still reporting (1, 2, 3, 4) the issue where Instagram filters are missing or unavailable for them. Moreover, the support team is yet to comment on this matter.
Update 11 (May 31)
04:55 pm (IST): A user has shared a potential workaround that may bring back filters on Instagram. It involves turning off location permission in the app settings.
Go to settings > instagram > switch the location to never and ur filters will be back ur welcome 🙂 (Source)
Update 12 (June 3)
06:16 pm (IST): If Instagram filters are still missing for you on the Android app, then you can try installing the latest app version and see if it helps.
Update 13 (June 6)
01:07 pm (IST): One of our readers has suggested that users who lost their filters should try turning on ‘Face and hand effects’ option in the privacy settings. And here are the steps to do so.
First, go to settings, then privacy, ‘Face and hand effects’ under the data permission, and turn that on.
Thanks for the tip: Sincere Lashea!
Update 14 (June 14)
10:27 am (IST): Some users are still complaining (1, 2) that they are getting ‘This effect is not available in your location’ error message. However, support team is yet to comment on this matter.
Update 15 (June 15)
11:56 am (IST): Turning on ‘Face and Hands Effect’ permission in your phone’s Settings could be a potential workaround to get filters back on Instagram. And here’s a video guide on how to do so.
Update 16 (June 24)
06:52 pm (IST): Here’s how you can access the face and hand effect setting. This feature is limited by region, so you can also try accessing it using a VPN. Turning the setting on might bring back filters on Instagram.
Update 17 (June 27)
11:22 am (IST): Here’s another workaround that might help you get the filters back on Instagram. All you have to do is clear the data and cache from the Instagram app and then download and install a VPN service.
Now, connect to a server in a different location and then open the Instagram app and sign in again and check if filters are back.
Update 18 (July 1)
06:36 pm (IST): Some users are now reporting that after a recent Instagram update, they too are now getting the error message saying ‘This effect is not available in your location’.
Update 19 (July 5)
12:33 pm (IST): Instagram app has been updated to a new version on both App Store and Play Store just a few days ago.
However, it appears that the issue where users are getting ‘This effect is not available in your location’ error message persists even after the latest update as user reports are still coming in.
Update 20 (July 8)
05:33 pm (IST): After a recent Instagram update, a Redditor lost the ‘filter search’ feature.
The Redditor tried to recover the feature by installing an older Instagram version (from 5 months ago). However, that didn’t work, so it looks like a change on the server side.
Update 21 (July 14)
04:49 pm (IST): Instagram app recently received a new update on both App Store and Play Store with version 243.1 and 243.0.0.16.11 respectively.
Therefore, users can install the latest version and see if ‘This effect is not available in your location’ error gets fixed.
Update 22 (July 15)
06:36 pm (IST): A Redditor suggested a workaround for those who can’t see ‘Face and Hand filters’ option. Those users can try using a VPN.
Here’s how you can access the face and hand effect setting. This feature is limited by region, so you can also try accessing it using a VPN. Turning the setting on might bring back filters on Instagram for you. (Source)
Update 23 (July 19)
04:50 pm (IST): Instagram app has recently received a new update on Play Store and App Store. So, users can install it and see if this issue gets resolved.
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