nuphoto | nuphoto | Getty Images
The launch of the Instagram feature detailed information on Thursday on user geolocation data from social media users.
Meta It debuted the Instagram Maps tool on Wednesday, pitching the feature as a way to “stay up to date with friends” by allowing users to share “the last active place.” This tool is similar to Snapchat’s snapmap feature, allowing people to see where their friends are posting.
In a blog post, Meta said that “location sharing will be off unless you opt in” to the feature, but some social media users said in the post they are worried that this isn’t the case.
“I can’t believe Instagram has launched a map feature that will reveal everyone’s locations without warning,” said one user who posted to Threads, Meta’s microblog service.
Another thread user said he was concerned that bad actors could exploit the map feature by spying on others.
“Instagram is randomly updating its app to include map features without actually warning people is extremely dangerous for people with suppression orders, and it’s very dangerous to actively ensure that abusers can’t stalke their locations online… why,” the user said in a post in the thread.
Instagram Chief Adam Mosseri responded to the thread’s complaints and challenged the notion that the map feature was against the will of people.
“We’re double checking everything, but so far people seem confused and can see themselves on the map when they open, so others can see them too,” Moseli wrote Thursday. “We’re still checking everything, but make sure no one shares the place without explicitly deciding to do so. It requires double consent by design (please say you want to share and then confirm).”
Still, some Instagram users claimed that the location was shared, despite not choosing to use the map feature.
“Mine was set up and shared with everyone on the app,” said a user of the thread’s post. “My positioning on the IG phone was never set, so it didn’t automatically turn it off.
A Meta spokesman repeated Moseli’s comments in a statement, saying, “The Instagram map is off by default and live locations will not be shared unless you choose to turn it on.”
“If that’s the case, only the people you follow, or the private custom list of your choice — can see your location,” the spokesman said.
Watch: Jim Kramer talks about technology revenue.
