Instagram’s map feature spurs user backlash over privacy concerns

The launch of a new Instagram feature that reveals users’ geolocation data sparked controversy on social media on Thursday.

Meta introduced the Instagram Map tool on Wednesday, promoting it as a way to “stay connected with friends” by allowing users to share their “last active location.” The feature is similar to Snapchat’s Snap Map, which lets users see where their friends are posting from.

Despite Meta’s claim in a blog post that the “location sharing is off unless you opt in,” many social media users expressed concerns that this may not be the case.

“I can’t believe Instagram rolled out a map feature that exposes everyone’s location without any prior notice,” one user shared on Threads, Meta’s micro-blogging platform.

Another Threads user raised worries about potential misuse of the map feature for surveillance purposes.

“Instagram updating their app with a maps feature without proper notification is extremely risky for individuals with restraining orders trying to prevent their abusers from tracking their location online… Why,” the user stated in a Threads post.

In response to the complaints, Instagram’s CEO Adam Mosseri addressed the issue on Threads, refuting claims that the map feature discloses users’ locations without their consent.

“We are reviewing everything, but it seems that the confusion arises from users assuming that if they can see themselves on the map, others can see them too,” Mosseri explained on Thursday. “We are conducting a thorough review to ensure that no one’s location is shared without explicit consent, which involves a double confirmation process (asking for confirmation after expressing the intent to share).”

However, some Instagram users reported that their locations were being shared even though they did not opt in to use the map feature.

“My location was enabled and shared with all users on the app,” a user mentioned in a Threads post. “Despite having my phone’s location settings for IG set to ‘never,’ it was not automatically disabled for me.

A spokesperson from Meta reiterated Mosseri’s statements in a release, affirming that “Instagram Map is deactivated by default, and your live location is never shared unless you choose to activate it.”

“If you do, only users you follow back, or a private, custom list you select, can view your location,” the spokesperson added.

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