New Instagram location sharing feature raises privacy concerns

Instagram rolled out a new location sharing feature on Wednesday, similar to Snapchat’s “Snap Map.” Some users were alarmed to find their locations, including home addresses, visible to followers without their knowledge.

Viral posts, including one by TikTok personality Kelley Flanagan, warned followers about the risks and explained how to disable the feature.

Instagram chief Adam Mosseri clarified on Meta-owned Threads that location sharing is off by default and must be manually enabled. Users can choose exactly who sees their location and can turn off sharing anytime. The feature aims to help friends connect by sharing posts from interesting locations.

The launch comes amid rising privacy worries about Meta. Last week, a San Francisco federal jury ruled against Meta for allegedly exploiting sensitive health data from the Flo app to target ads. The case highlighted concerns over user trust and data accountability.

Instagram emphasises users’ control over location sharing, stating it is voluntary and can be disabled easily. Still, the incident has sparked debate over privacy and the potential dangers of revealing real-time locations on social platforms.