Instagram users are voicing urgent warnings and frustrations about a newly launched map feature that has them concerned for their safety. The feature, which displays users’ most recent active locations on a map, has been met with swift online backlash. Many have taken to social media to urge others to review their settings immediately, citing the potential risk of being tracked by strangers, stalkers, or other malicious actors.
What Instagram Officially Says
Instagram (under Meta) has voiced that the Instagram Map feature is designed to enhance social engagement—helping people find content posted at nearby locations and reconnect with friends. The company emphasizes that location sharing is completely opt‑in, off by default, and that users can customize who sees their location—such as mutual followers, curated lists, or “Close Friends”. The feature debuted on August 6, 2025, and lets users see posts, Reels, and stories based on geographic origin, while showing a user’s “last active location” rather than real‑time tracking.
Public Anxiety and Backlash
Despite Meta’s assurances, critics say the feature is dangerous. Reports include users claiming to see friends’ precise locations with street-level detail—alarming signs of privacy invasion. On platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Threads, users shared comments like “TURN YALL LOCATION OFF ON INSTAGRAM RIGHT NOW…” and called it a “dangerous feature”. Some also posted tips to disable location, such as navigating to “story live and location” settings or adjusting phone-level app permissions.
Safety Risks: Who Is Most Vulnerable?
Concerns are particularly acute for women and vulnerable groups, who may be more exposed to stalking or harassment if their location becomes visible—even inadvertently. Despite Meta’s stated protections, individuals reported seeing location updates “automatically shared to all my followers before the feature was even rolled out,” calling it a “HUGE security risk”. Another user described the feature as “SO UNSAFE! … I don’t want anybody knowing where I’ve been.” These stories highlight significant mistrust in the rollout process.
How To Turn Off or Control Location Sharing
If you’re concerned about your privacy, here are important steps:
- Visit Instagram’s settings: Go to the map section in Direct Messages or your Story and Location settings to find toggles for location sharing
- Set to ‘Invisible’ or ‘Never’: Opt for “Invisible Mode” or “Never” in your phone’s app permissions to prevent location tracking entirely
- Customize audience: If choosing to share, restrict visibility to a custom list, Close Friends, or only mutual followers. You can also exclude specific people or locations
- Enable parental supervision for teens: Instagram’s parental controls notify guardians if a supervised teen begins location sharing and allow them to manage the feature
Summary: Is the Map Feature Dangerous?
The Instagram Map is meant to be a fun, location-aware feature for discovering nearby content and friends. But in practice, its rollout has sparked alarm among users worried about privacy and safety. Although opt‑in and tunable, multiple reports claim it has exposed users to risk inadvertently. If you prefer to err on the safe side, it’s wise to check your settings now and limit or disable location visibility.
