- Instagram has launched a new “Map” tool in the US, letting users share live locations.
- The feature is opt-in but has caused confusion over how location data appears.
- Some users discovered old location-tagged posts plotted on the map unexpectedly.
- Safety concerns include risks of stalking and harassment.
- Lawmakers are urging Meta to reconsider the rollout.
Instagram’s new “Map” feature, introduced in the US this week, is facing backlash over safety and privacy concerns.
The tool allows users to share their live location with friends directly within the app. Meta, Instagram’s parent company, said the service is opt-in only, with location sharing off by default. Users can choose to share with specific friends or turn it off entirely.
Despite this, the rollout prompted alarm among users. Some reported seeing their past location-tagged posts displayed on the map, even though they had not opted in. This raised fears that sensitive information could be revealed unintentionally, making users more vulnerable to stalking or harassment.
Instagram chief Adam Mosseri acknowledged the confusion, stating the map had collated existing geotagged posts, not just live locations. He admitted Instagram needed to explain the feature more clearly and promised improvements soon.
Critics, including influencers and safety advocates, called the tool “terrifying,” arguing that it exposes users’ whereabouts in ways they had not anticipated. US senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal have written to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, urging him to abandon the update over child safety and privacy risks.
Meta maintains that live location is never shared without explicit consent, and only followers approved by the user can see it. However, with public concern mounting, the company faces pressure to rethink how location-sharing is handled on one of the world’s most widely used platforms.
Source: New York Times
