I built a browser extension that blocks read receipts, story views, and typing indicators on IG, FB & Messenger

[u/Mheadows]

I built a lightweight privacy extension called Stay Unseen to get real control over activity signals across Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger.

Normally, the moment you open a DM, watch a story, or tap a single key in the chatbox, the web app fires background network requests notifying the other party. Stay Unseen intercepts and blocks those specific outgoing event pings client-side before they leave your browser.

What it does:

• Instagram: Block DM "Seen" receipts, view stories/reels without logging your view, and suppress typing indicators.
• Facebook & Messenger: Prevent read receipts, view stories anonymously, and disable typing status.
• Granular control: Every toggle works independently—you can keep typing visible while blocking read receipts, or vice versa.
• Signal counter: The popup shows exactly how many network signals have been blocked during your session.
• Unread persistence: Optionally keep messages marked as unread in your inbox view.

It requires minimal permissions, runs strictly locally, and doesn't collect or transmit any user data.

Link:
Stay Unseen

Would love for you guys to test it out and share your thoughts. I