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   Instagrams new Maps feature has sparked major privacy worries  heres how to   
   make sure its turned off   
      
   Date:   
   Mon, 11 Aug 2025 15:20:19 +0000   
      
   Description:   
   Meta recently announced the new Instagram Maps feature, but it's bee met with   
   an angry response from users online.   
      
   FULL STORY   
      
   Instagram Maps is one of the latest additions to the apps interface, and    
   while its only been a week since it was rolled out, it hasnt left the best   
   impression on users  myself included.    
      
   Along with a slew of other features, including a new Friends tab in the Reels   
   page, Instagram Maps is a new function in the Messages section that allows    
   you to share your real-time location with friends. Its very similar to Snap   
   Maps, which has been around for nearly eight years.    
      
   According to Metas announcement , Instagram Maps aims to provide content to   
   help you and your friends connect with the world around you, be that viewing   
   Stories from a live music gig or finding a trending hang-out spot. The    
   company has iterated that the new feature is opt-in only and seems to be   
   turned off by default, but users are still far from happy about it.   
      
   A new way to connect, or an invasion of privacy?   
      
   While its obvious that this is another attempt to overtake Snapchat as the   
   leading messaging service for younger users, it hasnt worked well in   
   Instagrams favor. The main concern is the increased risk to users ' safety,   
   especially when it comes to stalking.    
      
   Reddit has been a hot spot for people to vent their anger (see below), with   
   one user posting I wonder how many murders this will assist. Instagram has   
   debuted a new maps feature that shows your location to others. And Internet   
   users are furious.   
      
   But how is this any different from Snap Maps, you may ask? Well, the main   
   distinction people are making is that Snapchat is a more personal app, and   
   Instagram is not.    
      
   In the case of Snapchat, the friend-adding process is more discreet, as you   
   have to enter specific usernames to add people, for the most part. While   
   theres the Find friends feature and a search bar, your request still has to    
   be approved by another user before you can start messaging each other.    
      
   When it comes to Instagram, having a private account means you get to choose   
   who follows you, but those with a public account can be followed by anyone.   
   The search function also makes it easier to find people to follow and shows a   
   users full account if its public, which Snapchat does not do.   
      
   How to make sure Instagram Maps is turned off   
      
   Whether youre an iOS or Android user, theres a way to ensure your location is   
   hidden from the new Instagram Maps feature. As mentioned, the feature is   
   opt-in and is turned off by default, but heres how you can make sure its   
   disabled completely.    
      
   Open the Instagram app and go to the Messages tab, where youll find the Map    
   at the top of your inbox. Tap it, then select the settings icon in the top   
   right, which will present you with different location sharing options. Youll   
   want to select the one marked No one, and then tap the Update button to save.   
      
   ======================================================================   
   Link to news story:   
   https://www.techradar.com/computing/software/instagrams-new-maps-feature-has-s   
   parked-major-privacy-worries-heres-how-to-make-sure-its-turned-off   
      
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