Instagram Map Feature Sparks User Safety Fears
Platform Defends New Location Sharing Tool Amidst Privacy Concerns
Instagram users are sounding alarms over a newly implemented location-sharing map feature, with some expressing deep concern that the popular platform could be endangering individuals by revealing their whereabouts without explicit awareness.
“Absolutely Sick About It”
The Meta-owned photo-sharing app introduced an optional map function on Wednesday, mirroring a similar capability offered by Snapchat since 2017. Viral posts have surfaced showing users who were reportedly shocked to discover their location was actively being shared.
Reality television personality Kelley Flanagan, who commands 300,000 followers on TikTok, posted a warning about the feature. Instagram user Lindsey Bell responded to Flanagan’s alert, stating, “Mine was turned on and my home address was showing for all of my followers to see. Turned it off immediately once I knew but had me feeling absolutely sick about it.”
Quick Friend Map clarification, your location will only be shared if you decide to share it, and if you do, it can only be shared with a limited group of people you choose. To start, location sharing is completely off.
— Adam Mosseri (@mosseri) February 5, 2024
Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, addressed the concerns on Threads, emphasizing that location sharing is inactive by default. Users must opt-in for the feature to become operational.
“Your location will only be shared if you decide to share it, and if you do, it can only be shared with a limited group of people you choose. To start, location sharing is completely off.”
—Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram
Instagram stated the feature was designed to help friends connect more effectively by sharing posts from “cool spots.” The company asserts that users can control who sees their location and can disable the function at any time.
Broader Privacy Questions
This wave of user apprehension about Instagram’s safeguarding of privacy data surfaces just one week after a federal jury ruled in favor of women who accused Meta of leveraging sensitive health information. This data was reportedly gathered via the Flo app, which tracks menstrual cycles and pregnancy attempts.
The jury determined that Meta utilized this private health data for more precise advertising targeting, according to the law firm representing the plaintiffs. Trial evidence indicated Meta was aware of receiving confidential health details from the third-party application, with some company employees allegedly making light of the data’s nature.
The legal team’s lead attorney, Carol Villegas, highlighted the case’s significance beyond data privacy, stating, “This case was about more than just data—it was about dignity, trust, and accountability.” The final damages in this lawsuit are yet to be determined.
The broader context of these privacy concerns aligns with a recent report by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, which found that online services often collect more personal data than users realize, with a significant portion of this data being shared with third parties without clear consent. FTC Report 2023.
