Instagram’s New Map Feature Sparks Privacy Panic Over Location Sharing
Instagram’s latest update has triggered a wave of concern among users after the launch of its new location-sharing feature. Rolled out this week, the “Instagram Map” tool allows users to share their “last active location,” aiming to help friends stay connected—similar to Snapchat’s Snap Map.
Despite claims from Meta that the feature is off by default and requires users to opt in, many took to social media to express fears that their locations were being shared without consent.
One user on Threads, Meta’s micro-blogging platform, wrote, “Can’t believe Instagram added a location feature without warning—this could put people at real risk.” Another user echoed similar concerns, saying the map could be misused by stalkers or individuals under restraining orders.
Adam Mosseri, head of Instagram, responded to the backlash by clarifying that the feature does not automatically share location data. “We’ve double-checked, and it appears that users are seeing themselves on the map and assuming others can too—but this isn’t the case unless explicit consent is given,” Mosseri stated.
Still, confusion persisted, with some users claiming their location was visible to others even without opting in. “Mine was set to on and shared publicly, even though my phone’s Instagram settings were set to ‘Never’ for location access,” one user posted.
Meta later issued a statement confirming the feature remains off unless activated manually, and that location data is only shared with followers or custom lists selected by the user.
