Ah that explains it. They have their own way of doing things over there. Thanks for sharing your experience all the same, it is good to know.

Where are you experiencing this ? I have not experienced personally this in South America or Europe. It is usually just the immigration who look at the passport and let you through once you say you’re visiting or whatever

Buy a second hand phone

install a custom ROM / block all the shit corpo stuff

Make an email just for that phone

Get a temp number if needed for registration.

use a prepaid Sim or twillo or something. After registering remove the Sim and only use WiFi.

Install fdroid

install aurora store via fdroid

Install a vpn (próton is free or get mullvad)

force the vpn to always be on

then install Instagram

Dont give the app any permissions and keep private data off the phone.

Put tape over the cameras.