Instagram is once again in the spotlight with a new feature that could challenge users’ perceptions of security and privacy. The platform’s newly launched Friend Map feature makes users’ location information visible directly on the map.
Steps to disable Instagram location sharing
With this feature, users can see both their own and their friends’ locations on the map. Instagram initially rolled out this feature to certain regions, but with the latest update, it has also been enabled for users in Turkey.
Instagram’s new location system allows users to detect and display their location, especially when sharing Stories or posts. The app can update location information even when running in the background. This leads to users unknowingly sharing their location information constantly.
Users who do not manually disable location sharing via DMs share their real-time location with the system every time they open the app. The feature’s default on status has raised privacy concerns.
Those who wish to disable location sharing on Instagram can disable this feature in a few steps. From within the app, tap the three dots in the top right corner and then access the Settings and Actions menu.
From here, go to the “Who can see your content” tab and select “Location sharing” under “Story, live stream, and location.” In the menu that opens, tap “Open Settings” to set location access to “Never.”
Here are all the steps:
- Open the Instagram app
- Tap the three dots in the top right corner
- Go to “Settings & Activity”
- Go to “Who can see your content”
- Select “Story, live stream, and location”
- Tap “Location sharing”
- Tap “Open Settings”
- Set “Location” to “Never”
