Instagram, one of Meta’s major social networks, recently unveiled a new update: Instagram Map. Adam Mosseri explained what it consists of and how it uses geolocation to indicate the real-time location of all users. The new feature has been the subject of much discussion, generating considerable debate around privacy and digital security. Snapchat’s Snap Map follows the same line as the update, as it makes use of personal data, tracking, and even more extreme cases of harassment. Although location settings are optional and consent is required, many users have filed complaints. Meta defends itself by arguing that parental controls can be applied to protect minors. Meta is also committed to cybersecurity measures so that users themselves can determine what content they want to share. In addition to this update, there have also been new developments in Threads. Read on to learn more about this new feature and its social impact.
New Instagram’s feature: Instagram Map
According to a news release by Meta, Instagram has presented a recent feature named Instagram Map, which displays a real-time map exposing where users are active across the U.S. The feature updates a user’s location every single time time the app is opened, prompting privacy concerns among some users.
Many are concerned about their location might be shared with no previous permision. Nevertheless, Meta, Instagram’s parent company, explained in a detailed way that the feature is opt-in only—users must actively turn it on to share their location.
Users have their own control
In addition, Users can also control who sees their location, limiting it to followers or close friends. At the same time, Instagram already permits location tagging in posts, this new feature tracks activity in real-time.
For younger users, Meta says parental supervision settings permit parents to lead location sharing and receive alerts if their child enables it independently.
Other new features include, reposts and a new “friends” tab in Reels.
Kids in danger: “significant public safety and data privacy concerns”
The recent feature carries “significant public safety and data privacy concerns” that could endanger kids, a bipartisan group of 37 state attorneys general warned in a letter on Wednesday.
Instagram Map enables users to share their exact location with others on the app. The feature has drawn concerns it could place children and others at risk – especially given Mark Zuckerberg’s poor track record on protecting user privacy.
In a Wednesday letter to Instagram chief Adam Mosseri, New Mexico AG Raúl Torrez and others demanded that Meta take several “urgent” steps to promote safety, including disabling the Map feature entirely for underage users and sending a “clear alert” on potential safety risks and how Instagram planned to use the location data.
“Unrestricted location-sharing features pose a particular risk for minors as they can be readily
used by sexual predators to identify and geographically target children in the real world,” the letter warned.
Women’s reactions to potential dangers
According to a press release on the new additions, the company sees the map feature as a way to “stay up-to-date with friends.” If you both opt-in to the feature and enable location sharing on Instagram, a group of people you select (followers you follow back, Close Friends, or only selected friends) will be able to see where you are on the map.
The map feature has already been rolled out on many accounts, and you can find it above your DMs if you have it. When you open it for the first time, the feature prompts you to choose who can see your location, either the groups above or “no one.” You also must then enable location sharing to be shown on the map.
Even if you aren’t sharing your location, you can still use the map to see where those you follow who are sharing are up to. It’s essentially like the “find my friends” function on Apple, but you can see people who choose to share publicly and when you click on your friend you’re directed to watch their Instagram Stories and other content.
