Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Instagram is working on a way to let users block unsolicited nude photos that they’re sent via direct messages — using a “nudity protection” filter to screen out and hide such pics. The social media giant confirmed the development of the feature but did not provide a timeline for when it would become available. “We’re working closely with experts to ensure these new features preserve people’s privacy, while giving them control over the messages they receive,” a spokesperson for Meta, Instagram’s parent company, said in a statement. According to Instagram, the “nudity protection” feature will be optional. It’s similar to Hidden Words, an opt-in feature Instagram launched last year that automatically filters out abusive DM requests based on keywords and diverts them into a hidden folder so users never have to see them.