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Earlier this summer, Instagram introduced a new feature called Maps. The concept is to allow you and your friends to share your locations in real time, which Meta describes as a “lightweight way to stay connected.”
Having experienced the check-in era of Foursquare and Yelp, I remain skeptical of companies encouraging location sharing for social reasons — it feels more like a goldmine for data monetization.
Using Maps is entirely voluntary; you must activate it manually. You also have control over who can see your location, with options including friends (those who follow you back), Close Friends, selected individuals, or no one.
However, I nearly activated location sharing via Maps by mistake at launch, which suggests others might have experienced similar issues. A friend recently mentioned being unaware that it was enabled on their account. We both also have acquaintances on Instagram whom we don’t know well.
While this feature appears more private on paper, in reality, there’s a risk of unintentionally sharing your real-time location with people you never intended to.
Here’s how to verify your settings:
1. Open the Instagram app.
2. Access your messages.
3. Look at the top of the screen for a globe icon labeled Map.
4. If you’re not sharing your location, a small red indicator and the message “Not sharing” should be visible. If these indicators aren’t there, and location sharing for the app is turned off, you’re likely still protected.
My own experience was that I avoided accidental sharing because I had previously disabled location permissions for Instagram. This cautious approach made me more aware of what the app was requesting. I initially assumed Instagram was only asking who I was comfortable sharing specific posts with, not live location sharing.
Given how Meta’s privacy practices are often questionable, it’s wise to review your app settings regularly. You may find new features or permissions that could inadvertently compromise your privacy.
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