A New Way to Explore — or Overshare?

Instagram’s newest update adds a location-sharing map that, at first glance, seems like a fun way to connect with friends and discover new places. Imagine walking toward your favorite coffee shop and seeing a post from a friend who’s already inside. But many users say the feature goes too far — and could even put people in danger.

How the Instagram Map Works

The Instagram Map allows users to see where photos and videos are being posted. You can zoom in on neighborhoods, tap a location, and view posts from that spot. In Meta’s promotional language, it’s designed to make Instagram “more social” by helping friends meet up in person or explore trending spots nearby.

Meta, Instagram’s parent company, says the Map only shows location information for public accounts and only if the user chooses to tag a location. It does not reveal your home address unless you explicitly tag it. The company also insists the feature is turned off by default and requires users to opt in before their location appears on the map.

Privacy Backlash and Safety Concerns

Shortly after launch, criticism flooded social media. One user wrote, “Does Instagram not realize how big of a safety issue that is?” Another called it “a burglar’s dream.” The concern is that posting from a location in real time could let strangers know exactly where you are — or that you’re not at home.

Even though Meta emphasizes the opt-in design, some people report seeing their posts show up without realizing they had enabled location sharing. Instagram head Adam Mosseri addressed these reports, saying the company is “still checking” claims of unintended sharing and reaffirming that the Map is supposed to require explicit user consent.

Lawmakers Call for the Feature to Be Removed

The controversy has reached Capitol Hill. U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal have called for Meta to shut the feature down entirely, citing safety concerns for children. They argue that even with opt-in controls, the feature could expose minors to predators or stalkers.

How to Turn Off Instagram Map Location Sharing

If you have Instagram’s new Map feature and want to check your privacy settings, follow these steps:

  1. Open Instagram and go to your profile.
  2. Tap the menu in the top right and select Settings and Privacy.
  3. Go to Location Sharing.
  4. Make sure location tagging is turned off if you do not want your posts to appear on the Map.

Stay Safe When Posting Online

Whether you decide to keep the feature or not, safety experts recommend thinking twice before sharing your exact location in real time. A safer option is to post about where you’ve been rather than where you are. If you want to share your current location, limit it to people you trust through private messages or Close Friends.

Instagram’s Map may be designed to help people connect, but as users and lawmakers have pointed out, the trade-off between convenience and safety is something every user should consider before turning it on.