How to Disable Your Location on Instagram’s New Map Feature
▼ Summary
– The Instagram Map feature has sparked backlash, with users criticizing its similarity to Snapchat’s Snap Maps and raising privacy concerns.
– Meta clarifies the feature is opt-in, allowing users to share their location with chosen friends or browse location-tagged posts.
– To disable location sharing on Instagram Map, users must navigate to Messages, tap Map, select Settings, and choose “no one.”
– The map feature is disabled by default if Instagram lacks location access, preventing unauthorized data use.
– Instagram’s Adam Mosseri explains that location-tagged posts appear on the map, but live locations aren’t shared unless explicitly enabled.
Instagram’s new map feature has sparked privacy concerns among users, with many worried about unintended location sharing. While Meta positions this as an opt-in tool for connecting with friends through location-tagged content, the rollout has created confusion about how personal data appears on the platform.
The feature displays both live locations (when explicitly shared) and geotagged posts, leading some to mistakenly believe their real-time movements are being tracked without consent. For those wanting to disable all location sharing, the process is straightforward but buried in the app’s settings.
To completely turn off location visibility:
- Open Instagram and tap the Messages icon in the top right corner
- Select “Map” at the top of your inbox
- Click the Settings gear icon and choose “No One”
- Confirm by tapping “Update”
Important note: If you’ve never granted Instagram location permissions, the map feature remains inactive by default. However, previously geotagged Reels or posts may still appear on the map interface, these reflect past upload locations rather than current whereabouts.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri clarified the distinction between historical geotags and live tracking, acknowledging the interface could be clearer. The company plans design updates to better differentiate between these location data types. For now, users concerned about privacy should review both their active sharing settings and past post location tags.
The backlash highlights growing scrutiny over social platforms’ handling of location data, particularly for vulnerable groups. While the map offers new ways to discover content, the responsibility falls on users to proactively manage their privacy settings, a recurring challenge in an era of constantly evolving social features.
(Source: The Verge)
