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The social media platform Instagram has launched its largest-ever crackdown against fraudulent activity. In this major operation undertaken in 2026, the company has deleted millions of accounts that were either fake (bots) or had remained dormant for years. This "cleanup drive" has had a direct impact on the popularity of some of the world's biggest celebrities and influencers.

The heaviest blow was dealt to American star Kylie Jenner, whose account saw nearly 14 million—or 1.4 crore—followers vanish overnight. It wasn't just Kylie; a massive decline in follower counts has been recorded for numerous major stars and brands across the globe.

**Why Was This Action Taken?**
In the world of social media, Instagram is considered one of the most popular platforms, enabling people to reach millions of others through their photos, videos, and Reels. However, as its popularity has grown, so too has the problem of fake accounts and bots. To eradicate this issue, Instagram took a significant step in 2026.

**People Reacting in Various Ways on Social Media**
Following this crackdown, a sudden drop in follower counts was observed for many major celebrities, influencers, and brands, creating a stir across social media. Since this news broke, people have been taking to social media to share their reactions.

**Instagram Aims to Enhance Authenticity**
The primary objective behind this major move by Instagram is to enhance the level of authenticity on the platform. In today's landscape, many individuals utilize bots (automated accounts) to artificially inflate their follower counts, likes, and comments. However, Instagram wants all engagement on the platform to originate from genuine users; hence, this major action was taken to purge such fake accounts. 

Part of Instagram's Routine Process
A spokesperson for Meta stated that this action is part of Instagram's regular system, under which inactive and suspicious accounts are periodically removed. This has no impact on active users. If a verified account is suspended in error, it is subsequently restored, and its follower count is updated accordingly.

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