New Instagram feature sparks privacy concerns but turning it off is simple

Instagramhave revealed a brand new feature, a real-time location map that lets people you follow see where you are when you’re online, and it’s already sparked backlash online.

Although Meta says the feature is opt-in only, some users claim they’ve seen it appear without fully understanding how it works, or who can see them on it. The setting lives inside your Story, and only appears when you open the app - but that hasn’t stopped people from calling ita privacy risk and expressing their fears.

According to Meta, the new Instagram Map allows users to opt in to sharing their last active locations with friends of their choosing. The function can be turned off at any time. It comes after a warning everyone using Android must restart their phones now as 'critical' warning issued.

READ MORE: Aldi releases full list of 11 new store locations that are opening this year

READ MORE: 'I tried Greggs sausage roll dipped in KFC gravy and it was a game-changer'

“From checking out stories from friends who’ve gone to a concert or finding a new place to hang out from a local creator’s reel, there’s content to help you and your friends connect with the world around you,” Meta said with the announcement.

The latest update comes as part of a wider batch of new features including reposts and a new Friends tab on Reels - echoing what other platforms like TikTok and Snapchat have already been doing. But while some of the changes have gone under the radar, it’s the map that’s stirred the most reaction.

Another update includes the "Friends" tab in Reels, which the company said will allow users to see "public content your friends have interacted with, or recommendations from Blends you've started, and easily start conversations about them."

For more stories like this subscribe to our weekly newsletter, The Weekly Gulp, for a curated roundup of trending stories, poignant interviews, and viral lifestyle picks from The Mirror's Audience U35 team delivered straight to your inbox.

The new feature, which Meta said began rolling out "earlier this year" before launching globally, can be found at the top of the Reels tab.

"We're also rolling out controls for what's shown in the Friends tab, including the ability to hide your own likes and comments on reels, and to mute activity bubbles from specific people you follow," the company said.

But users aren't phased by the the other updates, it's the map update that has posed a problem for most, with many taking to social media to air their concerns.

One user on X said: “Instagram lost they f**king mind adding that maps feature. What is with the obsession of having our location shared to the public? No thank you!”

Another user created a step-by-step guide to help people turn it off, calling the feature “freaky” and “invasive,” especially for women and young people who are already navigating enough online safety concerns.

A Meta spokesperson told The Mirror that the feature has only rolled out in the US so far and confirmed that the map feature won't be active unless you want it to be. They said in a statement: “Instagram Map is off by default, and your live location is never shared unless you choose to turn it on. If you do, only people you follow back—or a private, custom list you select—can see your location.”

Meta also confirmed the location sticker isn't real time location, but if you tag a location in your story, post or reel the content will appear on the map for 24 hours and with their supervision features, parents get notified when a teen starts to share their location and can turn it off at any time.

Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you!