Instagram likely to launch two-factor authentication system with WhatsApp

But Instagram is yet to reveal the feature officially.

In a May 22 tweet, tipster Alessandro Paluzzi shared screenshots of the upcoming feature within the Instagram app.

"Instagram is working on the possibility of receiving authentication codes (2FA) on WhatsApp," he tweeted.

He posted two pictures on the feature that reportedly stressed that the service needed phone numbers only for getting the codes and that WhatsApp won’t store any of the user data. Users will also need to enable the SMS-based option, revealed the tweet.

He then added, "It should be obvious, but it's better to specify: users will NOT be forced to activate this setting, it will be completely optional."

Two-factor authentication is a process to verify a login attempt by web services through secondary access to the account owner. The access can be through a phone number and/or an email address.

To use your mobile phone, the number needs to be registered with the web service provider (Google in case of the above-mentioned example), to verify your identity by either clicking on a texted/emailed link or typing in a number sent by an authenticator app.

The 2FA system is used to enhance web account security against hackers and malicious software.

Facebook has been planning to unify its social media platforms, Facebook and Instagram, besides messaging application WhatsApp, which have often been found sharing features like stories, for some time.

Meanwhile, Instagram has been facing a lot of criticism from US attorneys after it revealed its plans to create a different version of Instagram for Kids.