Instagram Map Feature Draws Backlash for Privacy Concerns
Instagram recently introduced a new map function that allows users to share their real time location with selected friends, to help users stay connected through the content based on the location. The function is only a subscription, which means that it is defined by default, and users must actively choose to share their location. Instagram states that only people who follow a user or a personalized private list can see their location. Despite these safeguards, the deployment has caused important privacy and security concerns among users, security defenders, and legislators.
Privacy Experts and Users Voice Concerns Over Location Sharing
While Instagram emphasizes that the map feature gives users full control over who can see their location and allows them to turn it off anytime, many social media users and privacy experts warn that not all users fully understand how much location data they might be exposing. Some users fear that the feature could be exploited by bad actors such as stalkers or criminals, especially putting younger users at risk. Members of the U.S. Congress have expressed worries about geolocation surveillance of minors, citing dangers such as stalking and exploitation, and have called on Instagram to reconsider the feature. Instagram has responded by pointing to parental controls and privacy settings designed to protect young users and has reassured that location sharing requires explicit double consent.
Ongoing Debate Around Digital Safety and User Awareness
Instagram map update reflects similar characteristics of location exchange in other applications, but has lit a broader debate about the balance of connectivity and privacy on social media platforms. Users report mixed reactions, and some appreciate the ability to share their location with nearby friends, while others urge other users to disable the function for safety reasons. Instagram head, Adam Mosseri, has addressed the user confusion on social networks, clarifying that the function does not automatically share user locations and is designed to require active consent. Even so, the public reaction continues, which leads Instagram to review and possibly improve how the configuration and privacy education of the function is communicated to guarantee user security.
This privacy controversy highlights the ongoing challenges social media platforms face in innovating while maintaining strong protections for personal data and digital safety. As location-sharing features grow in popularity, the conversation about protecting user privacy and educating users about risks remains a critical part of the digital landscape in 2025.