Instagram’s at it AGAIN - trying to get us to ditch Snap Maps for their own version.
But despite previous attempts, plenty of people still have no clue they might be sharing their location with their followers.
Last year, Meta rolled out a map within the app where you could tag yourself and leave notes from your live location.
Now, in the app’s latest update, users are once again noticing a ‘maps’ feature popping up in Instagram’s messaging section.
It lets you see where your mates are via Apple Maps. Unlike the original map we reported on, it seems you can’t drop pins or leave notes anymore - but you CAN see where your friends’ posts or stories were taken, based on their tagged location.
Meta says these features only work if you opt in by switching on ‘precise location’ in your phone settings - and that’s what allows others to see your last active location.
But as we’ve seen with other app privacy features, plenty of people may have grant permissions like these ages ago without realising it now means their whereabouts could be visible.
Kiwi mental health advocate Jazz Thornton isn’t a fan. She shared a warning to her followers, writing: “This is terrifying. As someone who has had a creepy stalker experience, it’s not okay.”
The good news is that it’s not mandatory. You can choose whether to share your location, and exactly who gets to see it - mutual followers, close friends, or just a select few people.
Or, if you’re not keen at all (I don't blame you), just head to your settings and switch off ‘precise location’ for Instagram altogether.
This is just another reminder to check your privacy settings on ALL of your social media apps - better living, everyone!
