From Connection to Surveillance? Instagram’s Newest Tool

Instagram has rolled out its new “Map” feature to over 170 million people, promising a “lightweight way to connect” by letting users share their exact, real-time location with friends.

Tucked away under a small globe icon in the messages tab, the feature allows sharing with all followers, close friends, or a handpicked group. But despite Meta’s assurances about privacy controls, the reaction has been far from enthusiastic.

Many users discovered they were sharing their home address without realising it, prompting them to switch it off instantly. Experts warn the feature could open doors to stalking, unwanted encounters, and mental health pressures such as FOMO and social anxiety, especially among teens.

Privacy advocates highlight that location data can reveal where you live, work, shop, and socialise, valuable to advertisers and risky if misused.

Instagram’s leadership has been forced into damage control after confusion over whether the company was collecting new location data without consent.

Weeks after launch, the “Map” remains sparsely populated, a sign that users may be rejecting this level of intimacy on a platform built for broadcasting rather than private tracking.