This week, Instagram unveiled a new “map” function, enabling users to display their most recent active location for their followers. Shortly thereafter, the internet erupted with concerns. Numerous users expressed their unease and raised alarms regarding user safety while others cautioned that the feature appeared to be automatically activated. The feedback was hardly the buzz Instagram anticipated when a user mentioned receiving a direct message revealing their exact location while they were asleep at home.

On the positive side, there’s a good chance that this feature does not turn on by default. However, many users may have inadvertently shared their location without being fully aware of it—just not in the manner they initially imagined.

Instagram Assures Users: No Automatic Sharing

Despite widespread rumors, Instagram insists that the location feature is entirely opt-in. If permission isn’t granted, then your location won’t be shared with followers, they claim. Even if the setting is enabled, it only shares your location with friends—those accounts that you also follow. For content creators, this means that their location isn’t visible to followers who aren’t reciprocally connected.

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However, the implementation raises eyebrows. There are probably two main reasons why users believe their live location is being shared without their consent. First, the feature is potentially too straightforward to enable. Users might stumble upon the option, activate it out of curiosity, and unintentionally disclose their location with just a few taps. The interface may be labeled clearly, but toggling the feature brings a sense of anxiety about inadvertently broadcasting one’s whereabouts.

The second reason users might be confused is due to misunderstanding the use of Instagram’s map feature when combined with geotagging. Besides providing live location updates, location tags on posts and reels can also surface on the map. Therefore, even without opting in to share a live location, any post tagged with geographical data—like a dinner at a local restaurant—will show up on the map for followers. This can wrongly suggest active location sharing, a notion explained by Adam Mosseri, Instagram’s head, in a thread clarifying why users who declined to participate may feel their location is visible.

Respectfully addressing Mr. Mosseri’s explanation, it’s understandable that individuals did not foresee their tagged posts being visible on the map, especially considering this feature wasn’t available at the time of tagging those posts.

A Public Relations Headache

One has to wonder whether Instagram anticipated this backlash. Perhaps the company took inspiration from other platforms like Snapchat’s Snap Map or Apple’s Find My and thought, “Why not us?” However, given Meta’s questionable record on user privacy, it seems naive to overlook potential criticism concerning this rollout.

It’s plausible that the company underestimated the distinction between live location sharing and simple geotagging. Users encountering a geotagged post on the map may suddenly think they are willingly revealing their location, when they never consciously chose to do so. Furthermore, Meta has been in the spotlight recently, with a jury ruling finding them culpable of mishandling sensitive user data, making this feature rollout all the more alarming. The context of this situation amplifies the confusion and concern surrounding the location-sharing function.

Instagram reassures users that locations only refresh upon app launch, and will be obscured after 24 hours of inactivity. Additionally, individuals can set “hidden places” to keep their location concealed. Nevertheless, many users may still feel apprehensive, perceiving this entire feature as a potential invasion of privacy.

Disabling the Instagram Map Feature

To clarify, if a user hasn’t explicitly opted into the feature, it’s unlikely to be active. However, to verify, access the Instagram map via Direct Messages, located near the top. Tapping on it will prompt options to share your location with followers, including “Friends” (followers followed back), “Close Friends,” a specific selection of friends, or “No one.” To avoid unintentional location sharing, opt for “No one.” (If the map option isn’t present, the feature might not yet be available to your account.)

For further precaution, location permissions for Instagram can be completely disabled. While it won’t prevent the app from determining a general location using an IP address, it will eliminate any chance of unintentional map sharing and disable geotagging. On iOS, navigate to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Location and select “Never.” On Android, go to Settings > Location > App location permissions, select Instagram, and choose “Don’t allow.”