The action of capturing an ephemeral visual shared through Instagram’s direct messaging or Stories feature using a device’s built-in screenshot functionality results in what can be described as the preservation of content intended to be temporary. For instance, if a user shares a photo with a friend via Instagram Direct set to “view once,” taking a screenshot would create a static copy of that image on the recipient’s device.
Preserving content shared in this manner can serve various purposes. It can allow users to retain information, document shared moments, or keep records of interactions. While technically feasible, it’s crucial to acknowledge the original intent behind disappearing media, which is often predicated on privacy and the assurance of content impermanence. Prior context and interpersonal relationships surrounding the shared image are important and play a part in the ethics behind the screen capture, as well as Instagram’s terms of service.