Instagram Launches Location-Sharing Map Amid Privacy, Safety Concerns

Instagram has introduced a new Map feature that allows users to share their current or recent locations with selected friends, view posts tagged by location, and discover local activities. While the feature is opt-in and disabled by default, allowing users to control who can see their location, it has sparked significant privacy and safety concerns. Critics, including privacy experts and advocates like Nija Hill, whose son was tragically harmed after being tracked on Instagram, warn that the feature could be exploited by predators or adversaries to track individuals, particularly vulnerable youth. Some users reported their location being shared automatically, raising fears of unintended exposure. Instagram emphasizes that location sharing only occurs if users opt in and can be turned off at any time, but experts and authorities urge parents to closely monitor their children's social media usage to protect against potential risks. The update also includes new repost and friends activity tabs, but the main focus remains on the debate over privacy and safety implications of the Map feature.