Facebook has begun piloting tools that give users in India more control over who can download and share their profile pictures.

These controls will give people in India the option to add a profile picture guard. When users add this guard, other people will no longer be able to download share or send the profile picture in a message on Facebook. In addition, people that aren’t friends with the user won’t be able to tag anyone, including themselves, in the profile picture. Facebook says it will prevent people from taking a screenshot of profile pictures ‘where possible’ – this feature is only available on Android currently. Facebook will also place a blue border and shield around the picture as a visual cue that the picture is protected.

In addition, Facebook has made it easier for users in India to add designs to their profile pictures. The social network has partnered with Indian illustrator Jessica Singh to create designs that can be added to profile pictures. Facebook says it has introduced this feature based on tests that show extra design layers make people at least 75 per cent less likely to copy a picture.

“Profile pictures are an important part of building community on Facebook because they help people find friends and create meaningful connections. But not everyone feels safe adding a profile picture,” said Aarati Soman, product manager at Facebook. “In our research with people and safety organizations in India, we’ve heard that some women choose not to share profile pictures that include their faces anywhere on the internet because they’re concerned about what may happen to their photos.”

The tools have been developed in partnership with Indian safety organisations like Centre for Social Research, Learning Links Foundation, Breakthrough, and Youth Ki Awaaz. Facebook says it will use what it learns in India to see whether to expand to other countries.